A man serving a life sentence for murder has escaped from a state prison in Lake County, Tennessee, and officials are urging anyone with information to call 911 immediately. The Tennessee Department of Correction identified the escapee as Jacob Morley, who had been locked up at the Northwest Correctional Complex before he got out.
According to WREG, an inmate escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex and a manhunt is now underway for Morley, per TDOC officials. As reported by actionnews5.com, the Tennessee Department of Correction confirmed the escape from the Lake County facility and said officials have identified the inmate as Jacob Morley.
Who Is Jacob Morley?
Morley is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in the 2022 killing of Cody Birchfield in Carter County, the station's report states. He was also convicted of abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and aggravated burglary in connection with the case, according to the same account.
TDOC said it is working with law enforcement agencies to apprehend Morley and is seeking to find him as quickly as possible, per the seed report from WREG. The department reiterated to actionnews5.com that it is working closely with law enforcement to find him and that public safety remains the top priority.
Where the Search Stands
The Northwest Correctional Complex sits in Tiptonville and has the operating capacity to house 1,776 male inmates, with custody levels ranging from minimum to close, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Members of the public who know Morley's whereabouts are urged to call 911, and anyone who sees him or has information is asked to do the same immediately, actionnews5.com reported.
A separate October 2026 escape involving Tennessee prison inmate Gregory Redden occurred at Nashville General Hospital in Nashville, where he walked out and was captured hours later, according to The Tennessean.
WREG indicated its story on Morley's case will be updated with further information as the search continues. For now, officials have not released additional details beyond the escape and the push to locate him, and the public's cooperation remains central to the ongoing effort.
