Prison Break Terror: Killer Vanishes

A convicted murderer serving a life sentence escaped a Tennessee prison, slipped through the fence, and was later caught on video stealing a pickup truck, officials say.

Story Snapshot

Officials say Jacob Allen Morley, 28, escaped Northwest Correctional Complex late October 25.
Security video showed him breaching the perimeter in his prison uniform, according to the state.
Investigators report video of a white 2008 Ford F-350 stolen around 1 a.m.; a manhunt is active.
Authorities added Morley to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list and offered a reward.

Confirmed Timeline And Identification

The Tennessee Department of Correction reported that staff discovered inmate Jacob Allen Morley missing around 11:30 p.m. on October 25, 2026, during an emergency count at Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. Officials identified him as inmate number 674793, age 28, serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added Morley to its Most Wanted list soon after, signaling a statewide alert for public safety and rapid tips.

State officials said a review of prison security cameras confirmed Morley breached the perimeter fence and left the facility in his Tennessee Department of Correction uniform. Authorities did not release how he got through the fence or what tools, if any, he used. That detail remains under investigation to protect security and to avoid helping copycats. The agency focused public messages on recognition, reporting, and staying clear of potential contact while the search unfolds.

Truck Theft Video And Manhunt Measures

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported video evidence that shows Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 from the 400 block of Keystone Drive at about 1 a.m., not long after the escape was discovered. Officials shared the vehicle description and asked residents to review doorbell, home-security, and trail camera footage. They warned the public not to approach the suspect and to call 911 with any sightings or leads that could help end the search quickly.

Authorities announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to Morley’s capture. The Tennessee Department of Correction and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation urged people statewide to remain alert. They asked for tip calls rather than in-person attempts to help, stressing that trained officers are coordinating the search. As of the latest reports, officials had not announced the recovery of the truck or Morley’s location.

Why This Escape Stands Out

Escapes from secure prisons are uncommon, and many recorded escapes involve lower-security or community custody settings rather than perimeter breaches. That is part of why this case drew urgent attention and a fast statewide alert. A life sentence for murder, a fence breach, and a reported vehicle theft raise the stakes for public safety teams racing to find the suspect while also guarding neighborhoods and roads in the region.

MANHUNT UNDERWAY: Police in Tennessee are searching for convicted murderer Jacob Morley who escaped from prison late Sunday. He was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and is the second inmate to escape a Tennessee prison in the past week. pic.twitter.com/9TnBHKxVAp

— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) October 27, 2026

National data show escape offenses exist but often involve non-secure custody, like halfway houses, not perimeter breaches at major facilities. That base rate helps explain why officials rolled out clear warnings and a reward here. While the state has not disclosed how the fence breach happened, investigators typically keep those details back during an active search. People can best help by sharing clear tips with 911 and checking local cameras for any match to the truck or suspect description.