Tennessee manhunt after convicted murderer escapes prison fence and steals truck

Tennessee authorities are searching for Jacob Morley, a 28-year-old convicted murderer serving a life sentence, after officials say he escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex late Sunday night and fled in a stolen pickup truck. According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, the escape was discovered around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, 2026, and video later showed Morley driving away around 1:18 a.m. on Oct. 27.

How the escape unfolded

Officials say Morley got out of the prison by breaching the perimeter fence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tennessee. After getting outside the facility, he stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 pickup with Tennessee plates and drove off, according to the report.

The truck belonged to Lindamood Planting Company and had tools inside, officials said. Surveillance video and footage from the Hornbeak Fire Department were used in the investigation, and the truck was seen passing the fire department at 1:18 a.m.

• Escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex
• Identified as Jacob Morley, age 28
• Serving a life sentence for murder
• Stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 pickup
• Vehicle belonged to Lindamood Planting Company
• Morley is on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list
• Reward offered: up to $2,500

What investigators say they know

According to officials, the prison staff learned of the escape late Sunday night. The video evidence helped investigators track the vehicle after the breach, including its route near Hornbeak Fire Department, which is about 15 miles from the prison.

Morley’s booking photo released by the Tennessee Department of Correction is dated July 24, 2025, according to the source.

Why the search matters

For people living near the prison and along nearby roads, the escape raised an immediate public safety concern because the person authorities are looking for is a convicted killer serving life in prison. His presence on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list reflects the urgency of the search.

Authorities are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to his arrest. That makes the case not only a prison escape, but also a wider community search involving local and state law enforcement.

Background on the case

The source says Morley was already serving a life sentence when he escaped. Beyond that, officials have not provided additional details in the report about how he entered prison or what led to his conviction. The current focus, according to the source, is finding him after the fence breach and the stolen-truck getaway.

Source: Julianna Bragg