Reward for Escaped Murderer Jacob Morley Rises to $15,000 as Search Widens
Police in Marion, Illinois, are searching for the fugitive after his stolen truck was found 100 miles from the Tennessee prison he escaped.
By Vikram Harrison ·
The cash reward for information leading to the arrest of escaped murder convict Jacob Morley jumped from $2,500 to $15,000 on Wednesday. The combined sum comes from the Tennessee governor’s office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Morley, 28, fled Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, sometime before 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
Marion Police Chief David Fitts stated that Morley has no known connection to the small Illinois town where his stolen work truck was discovered early Tuesday. The vehicle was found behind a business in Marion, a community of approximately 16,000 residents located about 100 miles north of the prison. Fitts noted that no other stolen vehicles were reported in the area and no evidence was found near the truck.
Security video from the Tennessee Department of Correction showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence and exiting the facility while wearing his prison uniform. Prison staff confirmed his absence during an emergency count shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The department is investigating the mechanics of the escape but has not released further details.
Fitts acknowledged that Morley might have stopped in Marion simply because Interstate 57 runs through the town, perhaps running low on fuel. "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. He added that there are no confirmed sightings and that Morley’s face is widely publicized in local news.
Morley was convicted in February 2025 of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary. He also pleaded guilty to theft of property. Court documents detail that he shot co-worker Cody Birchfield in the back of the head in 2022. Birchfield’s body was later found inside a large metal box under Morley’s residence. Morley is serving a life sentence for these crimes.
Carrie Norman, the sister of the murder victim, described the search as feeling like a scary movie. She said her family must relive the trauma of the case without knowing the fugitive’s location or what he is capable of. Fitts urged residents to call 911 if they see Morley rather than approaching him personally. He expressed hope that local officers will eventually catch the fugitive but stressed that professional handling is essential.
Police have not stopped looking in Marion despite the lack of evidence linking Morley to the town. Fitts said current observations lead them to believe Morley is no longer in the immediate area. The search continues as authorities coordinate efforts to locate the man who escaped before dawn on Sunday.
