Manhunt for Tennessee killer who may have robbed a Wisconsin bank

Jacob Morley is the subject of a growing manhunt after authorities connected him to a bank robbery in Wisconsin. The 28 year old escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County, Tennessee, on Sunday night. He had been serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield.

Police recovered a white Ford truck that Morley allegedly stole during his escape. The vehicle was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois, early Monday morning. Surveillance video placed the truck at that location around 4:40 a.m. Police discovered the car nearly 30 hours later, according to ABC7 Chicago.

Investigators are now examining a robbery at the Bank of Deerfield that occurred on Tuesday. Two employees were restrained during the incident. The suspect fled in a stolen Lincoln MKZ, which was later located and abandoned. The Dane County Sheriff's Office has not ruled Morley out as a suspect, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is tracking the case. No formal link has been established yet.

Morley is currently on the TBI Most Wanted list. A reward of $17,500 is offered for information leading to his arrest. The U.S. Marshals Service and state authorities are actively involved in the search. Officials urge anyone with information to contact the TBI or call 911.

Cody Birchfield's family expressed concern for their safety during the search. A cousin told CNN that the family wants the focus to remain on the life of Birchfield. The relative said, "Above all, we want Cody to be remembered not for the tragedy of his death, but for the warmth, kindness, and decency of his life."