A convicted murderer escaped prison Sunday evening, launching a statewide manhunt. Jacob Morley, 28, was serving a life sentence in northwestern Tennessee when he slipped through the fence and stole a truck to put more distance between him and the prison walls.

Murder Trial and Conviction

Morley was serving a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest, and vandalism, in connection with the 2022 death of Cody Birchfield.

The pair were co-workers who carpooled to work together. Birchfield was last seen alive with Morley, specifically on surveillance footage at a bank. Prosecutors believed that Morley had knowledge of the victim’s daily routine and direct access to his home.

Police found evidence of a struggle during the investigation inside Birchfield’s home, and they found that a pistol had been used. They also later discovered that Birchfield was buried beneath the house, which is where the additional charges, such as tampering with evidence, came about.

The prosecution was unable to establish a motive for Morley, and the defense tried to argue that the killing was not premeditated, but the jury saw it differently. They found that the facts and evidence in the case implied, by a legal standard, that Morley committed the murder intentionally.

Morley’s former girlfriend, Landree Shepherd, was a huge help for the prosecution during trial. She testified that the defendant directly admitted to killing Birchfield. He told her, “he f—ing killed him.“

Tennessee Convict Escapes

Staff at the Northwest Correctional Complex learned around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, that Morley was missing, which prompted a prison-wide search. Prison officials reviewed the security footage and saw that Morley “breached the perimeter fence.”

They said he was seen leaving wearing a prison-issued uniform and stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee plates at around 1 a.m. The Hornbreak Fire Department, about 15 miles away, captured Morley driving in the stolen truck.

The Tennessee Department of Correction said Monday morning that they are “actively responding” to the convicted murderer’s escape and working with law enforcement agencies to locate and detain him. “Public safety is our top priority,” the department said.

At around 7:30 a.m. Monday, prison officials said “updates will be provided as more details become available,” adding that Morley is a 240-pound, 5-foot-11 white man with brown hair and green eyes, and that anyone who spots him should contact the police and not approach. They are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to his capture.

Trouble in Tennessee

Morley is the second prisoner to escape from the custody of the Tennessee Department of Corrections this week. 63-year-old Gregory Lynn Redden, convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced to 15 years, slipped out of his shackles at Nashville General Hospital and walked out. They found him only a few hours later, but Morley’s escape may have a different ending.

Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDoC) is facing backlash and scrutiny from lawmakers as to why two inmates have escaped in under a week. They are calling for answers, and many assume it could be a multitude of things, including officer burnout, understaffing, and security measures.

Tennessee prison officers receive low wages and are constantly understaffed, leading to less supervision and leadership. This has caused serious lapses in judgment, exhaustion among officers, and more violence within the prison walls.

Officials are asking the TDoC to explain how basic security protocols failed in both cases. Redden was able to easily escape his hand and foot restraints while being a maximum-security inmate and leave a civilian hospital unbothered. As for Morely, officials are still trying to figure out how he breached the perimeter without anyone noticing.