Reward jumps for escaped Tennessee killer

Jacob Morley has been on the run since Sunday after slipping out of Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. The 28-year-old man was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of a co-worker. Officials confirmed he was missing shortly before 11:30 p.m. that night, triggering an emergency facility search.

The search expanded into Illinois on Tuesday when a work truck linked to Morley was discovered behind a business in Marion. The town, which has a population of roughly 16,000, sits about 100 miles north of the Tennessee prison. Despite the presence of the vehicle, local authorities now believe Morley did not stay in the area.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts stated that investigators found no evidence indicating Morley moved from the truck to another location. No additional vehicle thefts have been reported, and residents have not provided confirmed sightings of the suspect. Fitts noted that Morley has no known connections to Marion or southern Illinois. He suggested the town may have served merely as a stop along Interstate 57, possibly because Morley ran low on fuel.

Morley faces first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary charges. Court records describe the 2022 incident as a shooting in the back of the head. The victim, Cody Birchfield, was found inside a large metal box located beneath Morley’s home. Morley also pleaded guilty to theft of property during the February 2025 trial.

Carrie Norman, the sister of the victim, described the escape as feeling like a scary movie. She explained that the family must constantly relive the trauma because they understand the danger Morley poses while his location remains unknown. The uncertainty of his whereabouts adds a layer of stress to their daily lives.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation raised the reward for information leading to Morley’s arrest from $2,500 to $15,000 on Wednesday. The funds come from the Tennessee governor’s office, the bureau, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Fitts urged residents to avoid approaching Morley if they spot him, instructing them to call 911 and let professionals handle the situation.

Security footage from the prison showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence while wearing his department uniform. The Tennessee Department of Correction said the matter remains under investigation and has not released further details on how the escape occurred.