STATEWIDE — Law enforcement agencies across multiple states are on high alert and urging public vigilance as the manhunt for 28-year-old Jacob Allen Morley intensifies. Morley, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, escaped from custody and is now the subject of an extensive multi-state investigation that includes potential links to an armed robbery in Wisconsin.
Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County early Monday, October 26. During his escape, he stole a white Ford truck with a flatbed marked with the Lindamood Planting Company.
The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned in Marion, Illinois, near a Pilot Travel Center. Investigators note that Morley is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the 2022 killing of Cody Birchfield in Carter County, for which he was convicted of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary.
Detailed Suspect Description
- Name: Jacob Allen Morley
- Age: 28
- Height: Between 5 feet, 7 inches and 6 feet tall
- Weight: Between 240 and 270 pounds
- Physical Characteristics: Green eyes and brown hair
- Status: Considered armed and dangerous; do not approach.
Potential Wisconsin Bank Robbery Connection
Tennessee and Wisconsin authorities are also examining a possible connection between Morley and an armed robbery at the Bank of Deerfield in Dane County, Wisconsin. According to officials, a gunman during that incident demanded money, restrained two employees, and fled with cash before stealing a Lincoln MKZ from the parking lot, which was later discovered empty. While the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is aware of the Wisconsin robbery, no formal connection to Morley has been officially confirmed yet.
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) is asking truck drivers and travelers who were near or at the Pilot Travel Center at 2611 Vernell Road in Marion, Illinois, on Monday, October 26, between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. to review their dash camera video. Officials are hoping to hear from anyone who:
- Saw a person matching Jacob Morley’s description
- Observed suspicious activity in or around the truck stop
- Captured anything unusual on dash camera footage that morning
“Even if something seemed insignificant at the time, it could be a critical piece of information for investigators,” the TDOC emphasized.
Both the TDOC and TBI are reminding residents—particularly those in Indiana and neighboring regions—to stay vigilant, check outbuildings (such as barns, sheds, garages, and hunting cabins), and look in on elderly neighbors or vulnerable family members.
Anyone with information is urged to immediately call 1-800-TBI-FIND or dial 911.
