Manhunt continues for convicted murderer who escaped Tenn. prison; reward for info. now at $15,000

LAKE COUNTY, Tenn. (Heartland News) - A manhunt continues after a convicted murderer escaped from a Tennessee prison.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is offering a $7,500 reward for information through the governor’s office.

That’s in addition to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s reward of $2,500 and the U.S. Marshals for the Western District of Tennessee’s reward of $5,000.

If anyone spots Jacob Morley, they should call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to apprehend him.

Anyone with information on Jacob Morley can call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

On Tuesday morning, October 27, a truck stolen by Morley was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois.

According to Marion police, a citizen, who had seen a news report about the escape and description of the vehicle, called TBI to report the that the truck was sitting behind a business in Marion.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts said Morley abandoned the truck around 4 a.m. on Monday. 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.

Chief Fitts said there have been no reports of stolen vehicles in Marion since the discovery of the truck.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they assisted Marion police.

According to the sheriff’s office, the truck was found within a few blocks behind Rural King shopping center in Marion.

The truck was being held by the police department until TBI collected it.

Both Chief Fitts and Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich said while it’s possible Morley is still in the area, there is no evidence that he is. They say he had about 30 hours on the run and could be anywhere.

According to TBI, Morley’s whereabouts remain unknown.

TBI previously reported the white 2008 Ford F-350 was stolen early on Monday morning, Oct. 26 in Lake County, Tenn.

The truck was seen on surveillance video around 1 a.m. on Monday driving past the Hornbeak Fire Department.

Tennessee Department of Corrections officials say Jacob Allen Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on Sunday, October 25 around 11:30 p.m.

After reviewing security cameras, they say Morley “breached the perimeter fence” and left the facility in his TDOC uniform.

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.

Residents in the area are asked to check home security and doorbell cameras, trail and hunting cameras and other surveillance systems for possible sightings or activity.

Morley has been added to the TBI Most Wanted list.

Corrections officials say Morley was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield in east Tennessee. He was also convicted of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism.

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

TDOC officials say they are working closely with law enforcement agencies to capture Morley as quickly as possible.