Overview
- Jacob Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex and was confirmed unaccounted for by the Tennessee Department of Correction after staff conducted an emergency count late Sunday and reported the escape Monday.
- Morley, 28, was serving a life sentence for the 2022 first-degree murder of longtime friend Cody Birchfield and related convictions including abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
- Authorities have launched a multi-agency manhunt and released a wanted poster describing Morley as about 5-foot-11, 240 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair and showing photos with stubble and a full beard.
- The Tennessee Department of Correction and local sheriffs say it is not yet clear how Morley left the facility and they are investigating possible security lapses at the prison.
- Officials urge anyone with information or sightings to call 911 or the TDOC tip line at 1-844-832-3463 and warn the public not to approach him so law enforcement can safely apprehend the escapee.