Jacob Morley's Reward Soars as Police Trace Truck 100 Miles North

A manhunt for a convicted murderer intensified on Wednesday as officials confirmed that the truck used in his escape was abandoned more than 100 miles from the prison where he was held. Jacob Morley, 28, has been at large since Sunday night after slipping out of the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee.

The reward for information leading to Morley's arrest rose from $2,500 to $15,000. This combined sum is provided by the Tennessee governor's office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities announced the increase on Wednesday as the search radius expanded.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts stated that the work truck was discovered behind a business in Marion, a town of approximately 16,000 residents. The location is roughly 100 miles north of the Tennessee facility. Fitts noted that no other stolen vehicles have been reported in the area, and investigators found no evidence around the truck. He emphasized that Morley has no known ties to Marion or the southern Illinois region.

Fitts suggested that Interstate 57, which runs through the center of Marion, may have drawn Morley to the location. "Have no idea why he would come here, other than I-57 is a major interstate and it runs right through the middle of our town," Fitts said. "And I don't know, maybe he was low on gas and just pulled off. I don't know."

Morley was convicted of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary following a trial in February 2025. He also pleaded guilty to theft of property. Court documents indicate he shot Cody Birchfield in the back of the head in 2022. Birchfield's body was later discovered inside a large metal box beneath Morley's residence.

Carrie Norman, Birchfield's sister, described the renewed uncertainty to reporters on Wednesday. "It feels like a scary movie," she said. "The family have to go back through the experience, once again. Once again, because you don't know where he's at, but you know what he's capable of."

Tennessee Department of Correction officials said security video showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence while wearing his prison uniform. Staff confirmed he was unaccounted for around 11:30 p.m. Sunday and conducted an emergency count. The department is currently investigating the specific mechanics of the escape.