World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Tennessee Murder Convict Recaptured in Missouri After Prison Escape
Jacob Morley was recaptured near Kansas City, Missouri, more than a week after escaping from a Tennessee prison.
The 28-year-old escaped from Northwest Correctional Complex on October 25 by slipping through a fence in his prison clothes.
He was serving a life sentence for killing co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022.
Authorities tracked Morley using license plate readers, roadside cameras and a helicopter; his truck became stuck in mud, and a trooper took him into custody without incident.
His escape prompted a search and a reward offer of up to $17,500 for information leading to his arrest.
The escape adds to scrutiny of Tennessee’s prison system, where violent incidents have been reported at the complex in recent years.
Jacob Morley, a convicted murderer who escaped from a Tennessee prison, was captured in Missouri on Tuesday after more than a week on the run.
Authorities said automated license plate readers helped locate him near Kansas City, and a helicopter followed his vehicle.
His truck became stuck in mud in Carroll County, where a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper arrested him without incident.
Morley, 28, was serving a life sentence for killing his co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022.
- Who
- Jacob Morley, a 28-year-old convicted murderer.
- What
- He was recaptured after escaping from prison and spending more than a week on the run.
- When
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Carroll County, Missouri, near Kansas City.
- Why
- He was serving a life sentence for killing co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022. Authorities said automated license plate readers helped track him.
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Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tennessee by slipping through a fence.
Surveillance video showed Morley stealing a truck from a farm near the prison.
Morley abandoned the stolen truck in Marion, Illinois.
Authorities tracked Morley to Missouri, where his truck became stuck in mud and a trooper arrested him.
- Age
- 28
- Escape date
- October 25
- Prison
- Northwest Correctional Complex, Tennessee
- Capture location
- Carroll County, Missouri
- Sentence
- Life imprisonment
- Victim
- Co-worker Cody Birchfield, killed in 2022
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