Convicted Murderer Jacob Morley Remains at Large as Investigators Examine Escape Response
LAKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Newly released details are shedding light on how convicted murderer Jacob Allen Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex and left Tennessee before outside law enforcement agencies were notified.
According to 29th Judicial District Attorney General Danny Goodman Jr., Morley had already crossed state lines into Illinois before prison officials alerted agencies outside the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Goodman said the delay allowed Morley a significant head start after escaping from the Lake County facility.
How the Escape Unfolded
Investigators have released a detailed timeline outlining the events leading up to and following Morley’s escape.
According to authorities, the first indication of a problem came during a routine inmate count on the evening of Oct. 25.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., a correctional officer conducting a cell count encountered a covered window on Morley’s cell door. Rather than requiring the covering to be removed, the officer reportedly knocked and asked how many inmates were inside. An inmate falsely responded that two inmates were present, and Morley’s absence went unnoticed.
At 10 p.m., a second officer performing a verification check discovered that Morley was not inside the cell.
An emergency inmate count was ordered at 11:47 p.m., confirming Morley was missing. Investigators now believe he had likely already escaped by that point.
A second emergency count was conducted at 12:25 a.m. as prison staff searched for the inmate on facility grounds.
Authorities believe Morley stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 utility truck belonging to Lindamood Planting Company around 1 a.m. and headed toward Illinois.
Delayed Notifications
Prison staff reportedly notified an internal TDOC investigator at approximately 2:20 a.m.
Between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m., personnel discovered damaged perimeter fencing where investigators believe Morley cut his way out after hiding behind the prison kitchen among pallets and a trash cart.
Despite those discoveries, outside agencies were not notified until between 5:30 a.m. and 6:15 a.m.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, local prosecutors and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department were among the agencies that did not receive notification until hours after the inmate had disappeared.
Goodman said Morley had already reached Marion, Illinois, before outside law enforcement agencies were contacted.
Search Continues Across Multiple States
The stolen utility truck was later found abandoned in Marion, Illinois. Authorities said there was no indication Morley remained in the immediate area.
Investigators are also examining a possible connection between Morley and an armed bank robbery in Deerfield, Wisconsin, where an armed suspect reportedly tied up employees before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. Officials have not established a formal link between the robbery and Morley but have confirmed the incident is being investigated.
Murder Conviction
Morley was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield in Carter County when he escaped from custody.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added Morley to its Most Wanted list and warns that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The TBI, U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies are offering a combined reward of up to $17,500 for information leading to his capture.
Anyone with information about Morley’s whereabouts is urged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or 911 immediately.
searching for Jacob Morley, who escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County (WVLT)
