‘He’s a monster. He will do it again’: A warning as the manhunt for Jacob Morley continues

LAKE CO., Tenn. (WMC) - Four years after Cody Birchfield’s murder, the man convicted of killing him is on the run.

Jacob Allen Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County early Monday morning. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday that a truck investigators say Morley stole from Obion County was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois. Morley’s whereabouts remain unknown.

The U.S. Marshals for the Western District of Tennessee confirmed to Action News 5 that officials added $5,000 to TBI’s $2,500 award, bringing the total to $7,500.

For Daniel Russell, Birchfield’s childhood best friend, the search has reopened the pain of losing someone he considered a brother.

Russell says he met Birchfield in elementary school. He says Birchfield and his family welcomed him in and treated him like one of their own.

“He’s way more than friend. He’s my brother,” Russell said. “Me and him were close enough that his son’s middle name is Daniel.”

Russell describes Birchfield as a devoted father, son and friend who was always willing to help others, even when he had little to give.

“He was full of life. He would take his shirt off his back, even if it was his last shirt, and give it to you. He had a heart of gold,” Russell said.

Russell says coming to terms with Birchfield’s murder was incredibly difficult, but knowing Morley was behind bars helped him begin to heal.

Now, with Morley back on the run, Russell fears someone else could be hurt.

“I was never going to have to see his face again, and then wake up yesterday morning, and it’s everywhere for all of us to see again and knowing he’s out on the street and he may do it to somebody else’s family,” Russell said.

Russell said he fears for the safety of anyone who tries to stop Morley from staying on the run.

“If he will kill somebody the way he killed Cody, he’s a monster. He will do it again when the first opportunity comes,” Russell said.

Diana Reid, another friend of Birchfield, said his escape also ripped justice away from Birchfield’s friends and family.

“We felt like justice, to a certain degree, was in place with him being incarcerated. It doesn’t bring Cody back, but at least justice was served in that aspect,” Reid said. “But now he’s out. So where’s Cody’s justice? Where’s the peace that his family had just knowing that he wasn’t roaming the streets?”

Authorities urge residents to secure their property

As the search continues, law enforcement is urging residents in Marion and nearby counties to remain vigilant.

Police are asking residents to lock vehicles and homes, remove keys from cars and equipment, secure barns, sheds and other outbuildings, and bring belongings such as tools, supplies and clothing inside.

Illinois State Police tell Action News 5 they are aware of the situation and have offered assistance to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as Morley’s last known movements were in the state.

The TBI says locating Morley remains an urgent priority.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. Anyone who sees Morley should not approach him and should call 911 immediately.

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