Convicted Murderer Escapes Tennessee Prison as Authorities Search for Inmate and Stolen Truck After Perimeter Breach and Overnight Disappearance

TIPTONVILLE, TN — Authorities in Tennessee are searching for Jacob Morley, a 28-year-old inmate serving a life sentence, after he escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. The Tennessee Department of Correction said staff noticed he was missing around 11:30 p.m. on October 25 and quickly began an emergency count and search.

Investigators later said security cameras showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence and leaving the prison in his TDOC uniform. By Monday, state officials had expanded the search with help from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also released information about a truck tied to the escape. Officials said new footage shows Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee tag 138BBQV around 1 a.m. Monday from the 400 block of Keystone Drive.

Surveillance footage shows an escape and a stolen pickup truck

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the truck has an air compressor in the bed and carries Lindamood Planting Company markings on the side. Authorities circulated a photo of the vehicle as they tried to trace Morley’s movements after he left the prison.

Officials have not said exactly how far Morley got or whether he is still in the same area, but they are asking people nearby to review home security cameras, doorbell footage, trail cameras and other surveillance systems. The search has become a community-wide effort as investigators try to pinpoint any sighting.

The Tennessee Department of Correction said buildings and other structures in the surrounding area have been cleared while the investigation continues. The Tennessee Highway Patrol has also joined the effort with aviation assets and state troopers.

State officials say Morley is dangerous and should not be approached

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added Morley to its Most Wanted list on Monday and announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest. Officials described him as dangerous and urged the public to stay alert.

The Tennessee Department of Correction said anyone with sightings or information should contact law enforcement immediately. The agency also released a wanted poster and included the inmate hotline number 1-844-832-3463, while an updated poster lists 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery, whose office covers the area where the prison is located, told residents to remain vigilant and use caution. He said anyone who thinks they have seen Morley should not approach him or try to detain him, but should call 911 right away.

Northwest Correctional Complex houses minimum to close custody inmates

Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex, a prison in Tiptonville that the Tennessee Department of Correction says has the capacity to house 1,776 male inmates. The facility holds prisoners at custody levels ranging from minimum to close.

The prison sits in Lake County in northwest Tennessee, where local officials have been working alongside state and federal agencies since the escape was confirmed. The added manpower reflects how seriously authorities are treating the case and the possibility that Morley may be moving through rural areas or nearby roads.

TDOC has not said how Morley was able to get beyond the perimeter fence, and investigators have not publicly detailed any additional security breakdowns. For now, the focus remains on finding him and recovering the truck linked to the getaway.

Morley’s sentence came from a Carter County murder conviction

According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, Morley was serving a life sentence for crimes including first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism. His conviction came in Carter County, Tennessee.

WJHL, ABC News’ Tennessee affiliate, reported that Morley was found guilty of murder in 2022. The station also reported that he was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of a previously missing man whose body was later found buried under Morley’s home in March 2022.

Those details help explain why authorities are treating the escape as a major public-safety concern. Officials have repeatedly stressed that Morley should be considered dangerous while the search continues.

How residents are being asked to help the search

Authorities want people in the area to stay alert and look over any recordings that might show Morley or the truck. That includes security systems at homes, farms and businesses, along with trail cameras and hunting cameras that may have captured movement overnight.

The public has also been told to report information immediately rather than try to make contact. Officials say any sighting should be treated as urgent and passed to law enforcement through the phone numbers on the wanted posters or by dialing 911.

With aviation support, state troopers and local agencies involved, the search has become a broad effort across the region. For now, officials are focusing on leads, surveillance footage and tips that could help bring the inmate back into custody.