A wanted inmate left an unusual message for property owners before stealing their truck during a failed escape from a Tennessee prison.
Jacob Morley, 28, was serving a life sentence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville after being convicted of killing his co-worker in 2022.
Still wearing prison clothing, Morley reportedly escaped overnight by cutting through the facility’s security fences, CNN reported.
The escape occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on October 25. Morley remained at large for more than a week before authorities arrested him on Tuesday.
After getting out of prison, he made his way to a farm near Marion, Illinois, roughly 127 miles from the correctional complex.
At the property, which was used only occasionally, Morley stayed in a hunting shed, drank beer and prepared garlic bread, Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich told the Independent.
Before departing, Morley allegedly left a handwritten apology explaining that he had taken a truck from the farm, the sheriff said.
“He had left a letter with specific information in that letter, basically just saying ‘sorry I stole your truck,’ and, you know, ‘tell my mom I love her’ and stuff like that, but it had some specific information on it,” Diederich told CNN.
Jacob Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on October 25 before turning up at a hunting shed in Marion
Police said Morley spent time at the rarely used property, where he drank beer and made garlic bread
Authorities said he took a truck from the property and left an unusual note for its owners
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Morley first stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 bearing Tennessee license plates on October 26.
He allegedly drove the truck more than 130 miles from the prison before abandoning it in Marion.
Police said surveillance footage showed Morley walking away from the vehicle and appearing at several other locations along his escape route.
“He walked away from that scene and walked down the state highway, and we’ve got images of him progressively as he moves along that, but ultimately lose him and the ability to follow where he went,” Diederich told CNN.
Marion police Lt. Justin Dwyer told the outlet that authorities located the truck 24 hours after it had been abandoned.
Morley was not seen again for eight days. Officials said he appeared to have stayed in the surrounding area for several days.
“We’re talking about hundreds and hundreds of acres, and it adjoins the national forest, so he could have probably been in a deer stand or a hunting cabin that’s not occupied,” Diederich told the outlet.
Authorities said Morley was considered dangerous and could have been anywhere.
Following his escape, Morley was placed on the TBI’s most-wanted list.
Officials initially offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his capture. That amount was increased by $15,000 on Wednesday.
The truck became stuck in mud after he drove away from the farm, allowing police to arrest Morley near Kansas City almost a week later
Morley was convicted of killing his co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022
More than a week after the escape, investigators received a crucial tip that led them to a hunting-camp shed in Illinois, CNN reported.
They recovered the handwritten note, which helped connect Morley to the property.
By then, Morley had traveled south along Missouri Route 291, more than 300 miles from Marion.
Investigators tracked the truck’s license plate using automated license-plate reader technology and asked local authorities to monitor the vehicle.
Authorities said the escaped inmate was arrested near Norborne, Missouri, about 50 miles east-northeast of Kansas City. Roadside cameras and a helicopter helped police locate him after the truck became stuck in mud.
Morley also allegedly took clothing and three firearms from the farm. Police later found two rifles and a shotgun inside the vehicle.
Investigators have not determined why Morley went to Marion or why he was later driving near Kansas City.
The sheriff said investigators found no evidence that anyone assisted Morley during the escape.
“How he ended up in Marion is kind of a mystery,” Diederich told the Independent.
Morley was taken to the Lafayette County Jail in Lexington, Missouri, Justin Ewing, a Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson, said.
Court documents reviewed by WCYB 5 state that he was charged in federal court in Tennessee with one count of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
In Missouri federal court, Morley was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. A probable cause affidavit said he admitted escaping from prison, taking the truck and possessing the two rifles and shotgun.
Morley could face charges in Illinois, Judicial District Attorney General Danny Goodman Jr. told the outlet. Goodman said he planned to file additional charges, although it was unclear when Morley would be returned to Tennessee.
Morley was convicted of killing his co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022.
Birchfield’s body was discovered in a box beneath Morley’s home after he had been missing for several weeks.
Morley was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced in June 2025. His request for a new trial was denied in May.
