Convicted murderer escapes Tennessee prison: Authorities
Jacob Morley, 28, was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.
Authorities are searching for 28-year-old Jacob Morley, a convicted murderer who escaped from a Tennessee prison, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) announced Monday.
Morley, who is serving a life sentence, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex, the agency said.
"At approximately 11:30 p.m. on October 25, 2026, staff at NWCX confirmed Morley was unaccounted for and immediately conducted an emergency count and search of the facility," the agency said.
Security cameras "confirmed Morley breached the perimeter fence and exited the facility in his TDOC uniform," officials said.
On Monday, authorities released a photo of a truck sought in connection with the inmate. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said newly obtained footage "shows Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350, Tennessee tag 138BBQV" at approximately 1 a.m. Monday from the 400 block of Keystone Drive.
The truck has an air compressor in the bed and is marked with Lindamood Planting Company on the side, according to TBI.
On Monday evening, Hornbeak Fire Department, located in West Tennessee, said the escapee was seen passing the fire department at 1:18 a.m. Monday morning in the allegedly stolen truck.
In a social media post, the fire department included photos of a white truck and said it had met with state agencies to review the video from department security cameras.
The fire department reported the same truck was spotted in Troy, Tennessee, a neighboring town.
TDOC said it is working with local, state and federal law enforcement to apprehend Morley.
"TDOC is committed to protecting the safety of the public and is asking the community to immediately contact law enforcement with any sightings or information," the agency said in a statement.
According to TDOC, Morley was serving a life sentence for a conviction in Carter County, Tennessee, for crimes including first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism.
TBI announced Monday that Morley was added to the state's Most Wanted list, and offered a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
Morley "should be considered dangerous," TBI said.
Authorities are asking residents in the area to review "home security and doorbell cameras, trail and hunting cameras, and other surveillance systems" for potential sightings.
TDOC said authorities have "cleared buildings and structures in the surrounding area."
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is also joining the search effort, according to TDOC, with aviation assets and state troopers helping the search.
A wanted poster from the TDOC describes Morley as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds with green eyes and brown hair.
"If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jacob Morley, please contact the Tennessee Department of Correction at 1-844-832-3463 or 911," the poster read.
An updated wanted poster lists 1 (800) TBI-FIND.
Sheriff Bryan Avery of the Lake County Sheriff's Office, where the prison is located, asked the public to remain "vigilant and exercise caution."
"Anyone who encounters or believes they have spotted Morley should not approach, confront, or attempt to apprehend him," Avery said in a statement Monday. "Instead, immediately dial 911 and provide any relevant information to law enforcement."
Northwest Correctional Complex, located in Tiptonville, Tennessee, is a prison with "the operating capacity to house 1,776 male inmates with custody levels ranging from minimum to close," according to the Tennessee Department of Correction.
According to ABC News Tennessee affiliate WJHL, Morley was found guilty of murder in 2022.
Morley was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a previously missing man whose body was discovered buried underneath Morley's home in March 2022, according to WJHL.
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