By John Dobberstein, Editor
An Alabama man who has been in and out of prison for decades and is a person of interest in a three Oklahoma murders is the subject of a manhunt in Arkansas.
According to Arkansas State Police (ASP) Stacy Lee Drake, 50, is wanted in connection with homicides and carjackings in Oklahoma and other felony warrants from multiple jurisdictions, with charges including aggravated robbery, carjacking, and murder.
ASP and other local law enforcement agencies have been working to apprehend Drake since last night. Drake is a “person of interest” in the murders of Taylor Sharp and Tara Underwood at LaFerry’s Propane near Gans, Okla., a small town southeast of Sallisaw. Both were employees.
Around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sequoyah County Sheriff’s deputies responded to LaFerry’s near State Highway 64 and South 4670 Road and found the victims.
The Sheriff’s Office requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to assist with a the investigation.
Authorities said the vehicle Drake stole from the scene in Gans was found in Morrilton, Ark., and he was last seen on foot at a motel there. Drake is known is known to have purchased camping gear and all indications are he is still in the Morrilton area, authorities said.
Drake is reportedly a person of interest in a third homicide in Oklahoma connected to a carjacking, ASP said.
According to reports from 5News in Arkansas, Drake has felony convictions dating back to 1994 and was most recently sentenced to 36 months of unsupervised probation in 2022 in Alabama for first-degree robbery.
Those who knew the employees at LaFerry’s are coping with a deep sense of loss Wednesday.
“Taylor was an unbelievable father, a loved son, and an amazing friend. He brought a laugh and smile to any room he entered,” according to a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for Sharp. “Taylor was the most giving individual, never expecting anything in return. He dedicated his daily life to his 3 boys, working endless hours to provide and teaching them the value of a hard earned day and the knowledge they would need to continue on in life.”
Underwood was a mother of three and her father, Randy Barnett, put a Go FundMe fundraiser together to raise money for burial expenses and to support the kids.
Drake is a white male with brown hair and eyes. He is 5’11” and weighs 185 pounds. Drake’s last known address was in Birmingham, Ala.
Arkansas State Police said Drake is believed to be armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him should not approach him and should call 911.
Leave a Reply