Family member of Arkansas victim killed in Oklahoma responds to manhunt for suspect | KLRT

MORRILTON, Arkansas – An Alabama man wanted in connection with several out-of-state murders is still at large in Arkansas after an hours-long police manhunt.

Arkansas State Police said 50-year-old Stacy Drake is wanted in connection with three murders in Oklahoma that stemmed from two separate car thefts.

According to Morrilton Police, Drake was last seen at the Motel 6 on Oak Street in Morrilton.

One of the victims whose life was taken in Oklahoma was Tara Underwood, a mother of three from Fort Smith, according to her family.

“You never expect something like this to hit you so hard,” said Underwood’s relative.

Blake was last seen Tuesday night in a car at the motel, which police said was stolen at the scene of the murder.

“This is a senseless act of violence,” said Underwood’s family member, who did not want to appear on camera or be identified out of fear for his safety. “I pray that no one else loses their life at the hands of this individual.”

Although Underwood lived in Oklahoma, she has family in several parts of Arkansas.

Her family member said it was “very frightening that Underwood’s alleged killer is at large considering his last known location was Morrilton. That’s only an hour from where we live.”

Several agencies were busy searching for Drake all day on Wednesday.

In addition to the Oklahoma murders, Drake is wanted in other jurisdictions for aggravated robbery, auto theft and another murder.

Fort Smith police added that Drake was a suspect in a 2010 home invasion in which people were left handcuffed and robbed of cash, credit cards and their cars.

“It definitely won’t bring them back, but it will give us peace of mind knowing that no other family has to go through this,” the relative said.

Authorities are warning the public that Drake is armed and dangerous. Police are also advising anyone who sees Drake to call 911 immediately and not to approach him.