Into second week of search, no new info on TN prison escapee

UPDATE MONDAY  11/2:
Over the weekend, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations said that there is no new information in the search for Jacob Morley, who escaped from a west Tennessee prison on October 25.

TBI said they are still working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to pursue all potential leads in tracking down Morley.

Their last data on Morley's trail is the stolen truck recovered in Marion, Illinois last Tuesday. The truck was abandoned there on Monday, Oct. 26.

Investigators are asking truck drivers and travelers who were in the area of the Pilot Travel Center in Marion to review their dash camera footage between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on that Monday morning for images of a person matching Morley’s description, or any suspicious activity in or around the truck stop.

TBI was also looking into the possibility that a bank robbery in Wisconsin could be linked to the manhunt.

Authorities in Dane County, Wisconsin, said the robbery happened last Tuesday. The suspect reportedly restrained two employees and fled the scene in a stolen car. The car was found a short time later.

Morley is described as between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet tall and weighing between 240 pounds and 270 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair.

TBI released several photos of what Morley has looked like over the recent months.

Morley was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield in east Tennessee.


UPDATE THURSDAY 10/29:
No new clues have turned up in the search for the Tennessee prison escapee last detected in southern Illinois. Meanwhile, the increased rewards for his capture now total $17,500.

On Tuesday morning, a truck stolen in Tiptonville, Tennessee by 28-year-old Jacob Morley was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois.

Marion Police said Morley abandoned the truck around 4 a.m. on Monday, but it was not spotted until 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Police who responded to the scene did not find any evidence that Morley was still in the area, and there have been no reports of stolen vehicles in Marion since the discovery of the truck.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is offering a $7,500 reward for information through the governor’s office. On Thursday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s increased their reward of $5,000, and the U.S. Marshals for the Western District of Tennessee continues to offer a reward of $5,000.

Police caution that if anyone spots Morley, they should call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to apprehend him.

Morley was sentenced to life in prison in 2025 after he was found guilty of murder in Carter County.


UPDATE TUESDAY 10/27:
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, a truck stolen by escaped inmate Jacob Morley was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois on Tuesday morning.

However, they say Morley’s whereabouts remain unknown.


MONDAY 10/26:
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues its efforts to locate escaped inmate Jacob Allen Morley, who escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County late Sunday night.

Newly obtained video shows Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 around 1 a.m. Monday at Keystone Drive near Tiptonville. The truck has an air compressor in the bed and is marked with Lindamood Planting Company on the side.

Residents are urged to check home security systems, doorbell cameras and trail cameras, for any sightings of Morley or the stolen truck. If you see Morley or the vehicle, do not approach. Call 911 immediately or contact TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Morley remains on the TBI Most Wanted list, and a reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

The video can be seen at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Facebook page .