Tennessee Fugitive Steals Truck After Escaping Prison via Fence Breach

Key points

• Morley was discovered missing at 11:30 p.m. Sunday at the Northwest Correctional Complex, located about 90 miles north of Memphis.
• Security footage confirmed he escaped through a fence and later stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee license plate 138BBQV from Keystone Drive around 1:00 a.m. Monday.
• The stolen vehicle is marked with 'Lindamood Planting Company' and contains an air compressor in the bed.
• Morley is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, vandalism, and evading arrest related to the 2022 death of Cody Birchfield.
• A reward of up to $2,500 is offered for information leading to his arrest, and he has been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted list.

Background

The Northwest Correctional Complex has faced significant staffing shortages and security concerns in recent years. A 2023 audit noted a 61% vacancy rate for correctional officers at the facility. Additionally, a grand jury in July 2026 returned dozens of indictments for inmate murders, assaults, and other violent incidents at the prison. Morley’s case involves the 2022 murder of co-worker Cody Birchfield, whose body was found under Morley’s home in Carter County after a police chase that ended in North Carolina.

How outlets are covering it

AP News reported that investigators reviewed security cameras showing Morley escaping in his uniform but did not initially detail the vehicle theft. Fox News and WBBJ-TV provided specific details about the stolen white Ford F-350, including its license plate and markings, and emphasized the public appeal for information via doorbell and trail cameras. All sources agree on the escape time and the reward amount, but Fox News and WBBJ-TV highlighted the urgency of the manhunt and the vehicle description more prominently than AP News. The TN.gov source was inaccessible and provided no information.

Why it matters

The escape highlights ongoing security and staffing challenges at Tennessee correctional facilities, particularly in rural areas. It raises public safety concerns as a convicted murderer is at large with a stolen vehicle, prompting coordinated federal and state law enforcement efforts to locate him quickly.

What to watch

Law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, are continuing the manhunt for Morley and the stolen truck. The public is urged to check surveillance systems and report any sightings without approaching the suspect. Authorities expect to release further updates as the search progresses.