Manhunt continues for escaped Tennessee prisoner after stolen truck found in Illinois

Jacob Morley, who was serving a life sentence for killing a co-worker in 2022, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, before 11:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC News reported.

Morley allegedly stole a work truck during his escape. That truck was found early Tuesday behind a business in Marion, Illinois, about 100 miles north of Tiptonville, according to authorities in both Marion and Tennessee.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts said Morley has no known connection to Marion or southern Illinois, and there was no evidence around the truck indicating why Morley stopped there. He noted that Interstate 57 runs through Marion, suggesting Morley might have pulled off the highway for unknown reasons.

Officials continue searching for Morley, with the police chief stating they have not ruled out the possibility that he has left the area where the truck was found, but they have not stopped looking.

Security footage captured Morley driving away in the flatbed truck, but there have been no reports of other stolen vehicles in Marion since the truck was found.