Authorities are continuing their search for Jacob Allen Morley, a 28-year-old Tennessee inmate who escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex and allegedly stole a pickup truck during his getaway. The investigation took a new turn on October 27, 2026, after officials confirmed that the vehicle had been found abandoned in Illinois, while Morley remained at large.
Morley was serving a life sentence following his conviction in the 2022 case involving Cody Birchfield. His escape has prompted a multistate search, with law enforcement urging residents to remain alert and report any information that could help locate him.
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, staff discovered Morley was missing at approximately 11:30 p.m. on October 25. Investigators subsequently reviewed surveillance footage and determined that he had breached the prison’s perimeter fence while wearing his prison uniform. Officials have not explained exactly how he managed to get out of the facility.
Stolen Pickup Truck Leads Investigators Across State Lines
The investigation intensified after surveillance footage reportedly captured Morley taking a white 2008 Ford F-350 from a property near the prison at approximately 1 a.m. on October 26.
The truck belonged to Lindamood Planting Company and had the company’s name displayed on its side. It carried Tennessee license plates numbered 138BBQV and an air compressor in its bed.
At approximately 1:18 a.m., the vehicle was reportedly spotted passing the Hornbeak Fire Department in nearby Obion County. Authorities later located the abandoned truck behind a shopping center in Marion, Illinois, roughly 120 miles north of the prison.
The discovery raised further questions about Morley’s whereabouts and how far he may have traveled after leaving Tennessee. Investigators have not publicly confirmed where he went after abandoning the vehicle or whether anyone assisted him.
Who Is Jacob Allen Morley?
Morley was convicted in 2025 in connection with the 2022 case involving Cody Birchfield, a former coworker who disappeared in February of that year. Birchfield’s remains were later discovered in a box beneath Morley’s home, according to published reports.
In addition to his life sentence, Morley was convicted of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism.
Authorities describe Morley as approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 240 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has placed him on its Most Wanted list and considers him dangerous. Officials have urged members of the public not to approach him if they believe they have spotted him.
Authorities Offer A Reward As The Search Continues
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to Morley’s arrest.
Investigators have asked residents near the correctional facility and surrounding areas to review doorbell recordings and security-camera footage for possible sightings. The discovery of the abandoned pickup in Illinois has also expanded attention beyond the immediate area of the prison.
Authorities have not announced a confirmed explanation for how Morley breached the facility’s perimeter. They also have not established publicly whether he received assistance during or after the escape.
The incident has renewed questions about security at the Northwest Correctional Complex, which has previously faced scrutiny over staffing shortages and reports of violence inside the facility.
For now, the priority remains locating Morley and returning him to custody. Officials continue asking anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement rather than attempting to approach him.
With the stolen vehicle recovered but Morley’s location still unknown in the latest reports, investigators are working to establish his movements and determine where the search should focus next.