Tennessee raises reward for escaped murder convict Jacob Morley to $15,000

The reward for information leading to the arrest of Jacob Morley rose to $15,000 on Wednesday. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the new amount is a combined sum contributed by the Tennessee governor’s office, the TBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service. This increase follows the discovery of a stolen truck in southern Illinois earlier in the week.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts stated that Morley has no known ties to the town of Marion, a community of approximately 16,000 people located 100 miles north of his prison. Fitts noted that while the vehicle was found behind a local business early Tuesday, investigators have not located any other stolen cars or physical evidence near the truck. He described the lack of confirmed sightings as consistent with Morley having moved on.

Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, on Sunday night. Prison staff discovered his absence during an emergency count around 11:30 p.m. Security footage released by the Tennessee Department of Correction showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence while wearing his uniform. The department is currently investigating the specific mechanics of the escape.

The fugitive had stolen a work truck before his disappearance. He was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of his co-worker, Cody Birchfield. Court records indicate Morley shot Birchfield in the back of the head and hid the body in a metal box under his residence. A trial in February 2025 resulted in convictions for first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary.

Carrie Norman, the sister of the victim, described the ongoing search as feeling like a scary movie. She explained that the family is forced to relive the trauma of the crime because the location of the killer remains unknown. Norman emphasized the anxiety of not knowing where Morley is while being aware of his capabilities.

Fitts suggested that the interstate highway system may have drawn Morley to Marion. He noted that Interstate 57 runs through the center of the town, and Morley may have stopped there to refuel or simply use the route to travel north. Fitts urged residents to report sightings to 911 rather than approaching the suspect directly.

The Tennessee Department of Correction has not released further details on how the fence was breached. The search continues across the region, with authorities maintaining a presence in Marion despite the lack of direct evidence placing Morley in the town.