By — Josh Kelety, Associated Press Josh Kelety, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/escaped-tennessee-inmate-convicted-of-co-workers-murder-is-recaptured-in-missouri-officials-say Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Escaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured in Missouri, officials say Nation Nov 3, 2026 3:54 PM EST A man convicted of murder who escaped from a Tennessee prison was recaptured on Tuesday in Missouri after troopers used roadside cameras and a helicopter to track him down after more than a week on the run, authorities said. READ MORE: Florida executed a prisoner who killed his cellmate in hopes of getting a death sentence. It's the state's 17th execution of the year Jacob Morley, who was serving a life sentence for killing a co-worker four years ago, was apprehended at around noon near Kansas City, Missouri, officials said. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it learned Tuesday morning that Morley was possibly traveling west on Interstate 70. The vehicle was located using automated license plate readers and undercover officers traveling on a state highway in western Missouri. A Kansas…
Escaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured in Missouri, officials say
In short
Jacob Morley was apprehended on Tuesday around noon while traveling west along Interstate 70, ending a weeklong manhunt across several states. He had broken out of the Northwest Correctional Complex on Oct. 25 by slipping past a fence before stealing a nearby farm truck that was eventually discarded in Illinois. The convict is currently serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder and concealed burial of his co-worker, Cody Birchfield.
Key points
- Law enforcement successfully ended a weeklong multi-state manhunt that previously prompte…: Law enforcement successfully ended a weeklong multi-state manhunt that previously prompted a $17,500 reward offer.
- Jacob Morley is serving a life sentence following convictions for first-degree murder, ag…: Jacob Morley is serving a life sentence following convictions for first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering, and evading arrest.
- The high-profile escape compounds ongoing administrative challenges and violence indictme…: The high-profile escape compounds ongoing administrative challenges and violence indictments within the Tennessee Department of Correction.