Escaped Tennessee Killer Hid in Hunting Shed, Cooked Garlic Bread and Left Behind a Bizarre Apology Note

A convicted murderer who escaped from a Tennessee prison managed to evade authorities for 10 days, hiding in a remote hunting shed, drinking beer and preparing food before leaving behind a strange handwritten apology note.

Jacob Allen Morley, 28, was recaptured on November 3 near Kansas City, Missouri, after a multistate manhunt that began when he escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tennessee on October 25.

Investigators believe Morley made his way to a farm near Marion, Illinois, where he took shelter in a shed occasionally used by hunters. The location was approximately 127 miles from the prison.

While staying there, Morley reportedly drank beer and prepared garlic bread and other food. Authorities discovered evidence of his stay when they searched the property.

Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich said Morley allegedly stole a farm truck, clothing and three firearms from the property before leaving.

But it was the handwritten note he left behind that caught investigators’ attention.

According to the sheriff, the message included an apology for taking the vehicle and asked the owner to tell Morley’s mother that he loved her. The note also contained specific information that helped investigators connect him to the theft.

Authorities believe Morley had walked approximately three miles to reach the farm after abandoning another stolen truck nearby.

His whereabouts during the following days remained unclear until investigators received information that another vehicle had been stolen from the property.

Police used automated license plate readers, surveillance technology and undercover officers to track the stolen truck as it traveled west toward Missouri.

A helicopter also assisted in the search. The pursuit eventually ended in Carroll County when the vehicle became stuck in mud. A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper arrested Morley without incident.

Officers recovered two rifles and a shotgun from the truck.

Morley later admitted to escaping from prison and stealing the vehicle and firearms, according to federal court documents.

He had been serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of his former co-worker, Cody Birchfield.

Birchfield disappeared in February 2022, and his body was later discovered inside a box beneath Morley’s home. Morley was convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, evidence tampering, vandalism and evading arrest.

Following his recapture, Morley faced federal charges involving unlawful flight and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Tennessee prosecutors also indicated they planned to pursue additional charges connected to his escape.

Investigators have not established exactly why Morley traveled to Illinois or what he intended to do after leaving the hunting property. Authorities also said they had found no evidence that anyone helped him remain on the run.

After 10 days of searching across multiple states, the fugitive’s journey finally ended in a muddy roadside area in Missouri, with the bizarre apology note offering investigators one of the most unusual clues in the case.

Source:  DAILYMAIL