FORT SMITH, Ark. — It's been countless hours of tears and sleepless nights for Randy Barnett. Barnett says his daughter, Tara Barnett Underwood, was one of the victims in the double homicide Tuesday in Sequoyah County.
"I don't really have words for how emotionally strained I am," Barnett said. "I've cried a million tears, maybe a couple 55-gallon drums of tears since this."
He's spent his days sitting inside his detached garage turned man cave, which his granddaughters refer to as Coco-N-Pop Pop's Karaoke Bar. The room serves as a sanctuary for Barnett, flooding his mind with memories of Tara.
"She would make us laugh through every song," Barnett said.
In the days after her death, communities have connected the dots of murder suspect Stacy Lee Drake's past. It helped Barnett realize his family isn't alone in their grief.
"It is tragic, and not only for me. I'm not being selfish with my daughter as much as anyone that knows me that is watching this, I adored that girl. But I hurt for all the other families also," Barnett said.
Two days after her death, the Barnett family received the news they'd been waiting for. Drake was arrested Thursday morning in Morrilton, Arkansas, ending a multi-state manhunt. It's only the start for the family though, as they continue to seek healing and justice.
"It was a relief to find out," Barnett said. "I'm torn between capital punishment and another option. I want justice for Tara and for every other victim that he had."
Barnett says he's going to try and attend some of the vigils and memorials being held for the victims.
Barnett says the family plans to bury Tara in the Akins Cemetery with Forever Memories Funeral Home hosting the service. However, they're still waiting for her body to return from the Oklahoma State Coroner.
"The next step for our family is the healing process and getting our daughter buried and a memorial put there for all of our family to enjoy," Barnett said.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.