Manhunt launched for convicted murderer who escaped from Tennessee prison

Authorities are searching for Jacob Allen Morley, 28, a convicted murderer who escaped from Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, TN, near the Missouri and Kentucky borders. Morley is 5′ 11″, weighs 240 pounds and has green eyes and brown hair (View the wanted poster).

Morley is serving a life sentence for the fatal 2022 shooting of his co-worker Cody Birchfield, 34. Birchfield’s body was found in a large metal box under Morley’s residence. At trial, Morley’s defense team claimed he suffered from mental issues including bipolar disorder. The crime took place in Carter County, TN, on the North Carolina border.

Morley escaped around 11:30 pm Sunday night. The Tennessee Department of Corrections said he “breached the perimeter fence and exited the facility in his TDOC uniform”. Around 1 am Monday, he stole a white Ford F-350 flatbed truck in the city and drove away.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say Morley should be “considered dangerous”.

Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery urged that anyone who encounters or spots Morley “should not approach, confront, or attempt to apprehend him”. Instead, they should call 911. Anyone who may otherwise have knowledge of his whereabouts should call 1-844-832-3463.

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