Escaped Tennessee inmate convicted of murder recaptured in Missouri

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 06:03 · Archive

Jacob Morley, 28, serving a life sentence for killing a co-worker, was recaptured on Tuesday near Kansas City after escaping a Tennessee prison on 25 October.

Jacob Morley, 28, escaped from Northwest Correctional Complex in Tennessee's far northwestern corner on 25 October after slipping through a fence in his prison clothes. Surveillance video showed him stealing a white Ford F-350 truck from a farm about 2 miles away. The truck was later found abandoned in Marion, Illinois.

Morley was recaptured on Tuesday near Kansas City, Missouri, after more than a week on the run. Troopers used roadside cameras and a helicopter to locate him as his truck became stuck in mud. Two rifles and a shotgun were recovered from the vehicle.

Authorities believe Morley made his way to a farm near Marion, Illinois in the days after his escape, where he spent time in a shed used by hunters. Investigators found evidence he drank beer and prepared food there, and he left behind an apologetic handwritten note after stealing a truck from the property. He is suspected of also stealing clothes and three firearms from the farm. According to Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich, Morley walked about 3 miles to reach the farm after abandoning the first truck he had stolen. Authorities remain unclear why he travelled to Marion or why he was later driving near Kansas City, more than 350 miles away.

Morley was serving a life sentence for killing co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022. Birchfield's body was found in a box under Morley's home after he had been missing for weeks. Morley was convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, vandalism and evading arrest. Prison officials had offered a reward of up to $17,500 for information leading to his arrest.

How it is being reported

• Authorities are trying to piece together how an escaped Tennessee inmate evaded capture for 10 daysAuthorities are still trying to piece together how a convicted murderer in Tennessee evaded capture for more than a week.News4Jax · 4 Nov, 23:02
• Authorities are trying to piece together how an escaped Tennessee inmate evaded capture for 10 daysAuthorities are still trying to piece together how a convicted murderer in Tennessee evaded capture for more than a week.Clickorlando · 4 Nov, 23:02
• Escaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured, officials sayA man convicted of murder who escaped from a Tennessee prison was recaptured on Tuesday after more than a week on the run, authorities said.Clickorlando · 3 Nov, 18:17
• Escaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured, officials sayA man convicted of murder who escaped from a Tennessee prison was recaptured on Tuesday after more than a week on the run, authorities said.News4Jax · 3 Nov, 18:17

In this story: Jacob Morley · Cody Birchfield · Northwest Correctional Complex · Tennessee · Missouri · Kansas City · Marion · Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log