Authorities are searching for Jacob Allen Morley, a 28-year-old inmate serving a life sentence, after he escaped from a Tennessee prison and a truck allegedly stolen during his escape was discovered abandoned in Illinois.

A multi-state search is underway for a convicted murderer who escaped from a Tennessee prison over the weekend, with investigators following a trail that led from a stolen pickup truck to a shopping center in southern Illinois.

Authorities identified the fugitive as Jacob Allen Morley, 28, who was serving a life sentence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Correction said prison staff discovered he was missing late Sunday, October 25, 2026.

According to investigators, surveillance footage showed Morley breaching the prison’s perimeter fence before leaving the facility in his prison uniform.

Surveillance Footage Provides a Possible Trail

Investigators say Morley allegedly stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 pickup truck from a nearby farm in the early hours of Monday, October 26.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released surveillance footage showing the truck being taken at approximately 1 a.m. Authorities also received information indicating that the vehicle was later seen near a fire station in Hornbeak, Tennessee.

The search took a significant turn Tuesday when the pickup truck was discovered abandoned in Marion, Illinois, roughly 120 miles north of the prison.

According to the Associated Press, surveillance footage indicated that the truck had been parked behind a shopping center early Tuesday morning. A local resident subsequently alerted police after recognizing the vehicle from reports about the escape.

However, finding the truck has not resolved the central question facing investigators: Where is Morley now?

Authorities Continue the Search

Officials have been working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to locate the fugitive. Investigators have also asked residents to review security cameras, doorbell footage and other surveillance recordings for possible sightings.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added Morley to its Most Wanted list and announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.

Authorities have warned the public not to approach Morley if they believe they have seen him. Anyone with relevant information should contact law enforcement.

The Case Behind the Escape

Morley was serving a life sentence following his conviction in the killing of his former co-worker, Cody Birchfield, in Tennessee. His criminal convictions also included other offenses, according to published reports.

The escape has raised immediate public-safety concerns as investigators work to establish his movements after the stolen truck was recovered.

For residents in the communities involved in the search, the discovery of the vehicle offers a possible lead—but not a resolution. Until authorities locate Morley, the investigation remains ongoing.

World Wide Screens will continue to follow verified developments in the case.

Sources and Further Reading

Reporting note: This article reflects information available in reports published October 27–28, 2026. Check the latest law-enforcement updates before publishing, as the fugitive’s status may change.