Fugitive Murderer Evades Multi-State Search
Jacob Allen Morley stole a work truck after escaping a West Tennessee prison, prompting a $17,500 reward and a review of a Wisconsin bank robbery.
By Tyler Anderson ·
A life-sentenced murderer has slipped through the hands of law enforcement in a sprawling operation that now spans multiple states. Jacob Allen Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County, Tennessee, early Monday morning, leaving behind a routine prison schedule and a growing list of suspects for agencies to track.
Morley took a white Ford truck with a flatbed marked Lindamood Planting Company. Investigators later located the vehicle abandoned in Marion, Illinois. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially placed Morley in Marion on Tuesday, but the agency corrected that timeline to Monday morning. As of now, his current location remains unknown.
The fugitive faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the 2022 killing of Cody Birchfield in Carter County. His conviction covers first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary. Authorities describe him as dangerous and are urging residents in Tennessee and surrounding areas to stay alert.
Attention has turned to a separate incident in Dane County, Wisconsin, where a gunman robbed the Bank of Deerfield. The suspect demanded cash, restrained two employees, and fled in a Lincoln MKZ taken from the parking lot. Police found the car empty afterward. The TBI is aware of this robbery but has not confirmed a link to Morley.
The combined reward for information leading to Morley's capture has risen to $17,500. The Tennessee Governor's Office contributes $7,500, while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service each provide $5,000. The TBI, U.S. Marshals, and local partners continue to investigate leads across state lines.
Officials advise residents to inspect vacation homes, lake houses, hunting cabins, sheds, barns, and garages for signs of an intruder. They also encourage people to check on elderly relatives and neighbors who may be vulnerable. Anyone who spots Morley should call 911 immediately and avoid approaching him. Information can also be sent to the TBI via 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Source: WSMV-TV
