Man serving life sentence for murder escapes Tennessee prison, slipping through fence, officials say

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Jacob Morley, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tennessee over the weekend and was last seen stealing a truck near the prison. Authorities are conducting extensive searches in the surrounding rural areas, offering a $2,500 reward, as the prison struggles with staffing shortages and a history of violent incidents.

Authorities in Tennessee continue to search for a convicted murderer who escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville over the weekend. Jacob Morley, 28, was reported missing by prison officials around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday after it was discovered he had slipped through a fence and fled the facility.

According to the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), surveillance footage captured Morley leaving the prison grounds while wearing his inmate uniform. Details on the exact method he used to exit the fence have not been disclosed. Additional video showed Morley stealing a truck shortly after midnight on Monday. The truck was then seen traveling past the Hornbeak Fire Department, approximately 15 miles from the prison, at around 1:18 a.m.

Law enforcement agencies in the region, including multiple local departments, have been conducting searches for Morley. Efforts have focused on the remote rural areas surrounding the prison, located about 90 miles north of Memphis near the Mississippi River and the Missouri border. Authorities have offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his apprehension.

Morley stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 240 pounds, and has brown hair and green eyes. He was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of his coworker, Cody Birchfield. Birchfield's body was found concealed inside a box beneath Morley’s former residence in Carter County after he had been reported missing for several weeks.

In addition to first-degree murder, Morley’s convictions include aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, vandalism, and evading arrest. Authorities noted that Morley led police on a chase into North Carolina during the investigation into Birchfield’s disappearance in 2022.

The Northwest Correctional Complex, which houses up to 1,776 men and youths convicted as adults, has a history of violence. Earlier this year, a grand jury indicted multiple parties related to inmate homicides, assaults on staff and prisoners, and other violent incidents at the facility. A 2023 audit revealed staffing shortages at the complex, reporting a 61% vacancy rate among correctional officers, contributing to operational challenges.

The search for Morley is ongoing as authorities continue to coordinate efforts to recapture the escaped inmate.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.