Share and Follow
SAVANNAH, Ga. ()– The family of a man who lost his life in a stabbing incident on March 18 shared his story publicly on Friday, offering a glimpse into their journey through grief.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office reported that 28-year-old Chapin Micheal McRee was fatally wounded during the altercation that occurred that morning. Officers arrived at the scene on the 4400 block of Blue Jay Road around 8:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, McRee was discovered with several stab wounds and was quickly transported to Memorial Health Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
McRee leaves behind a grieving family, including his mother, stepfather, fiancé, and two young children. They gathered to express their sorrow and how they are coping with the tragic loss.
“Seeing my child mourn the loss of his father, his best friend, is heart-wrenching,” said Kaycie Stewart, McRee’s fiancé. “It’s devastating to witness my four-year-old endure this pain.”
The family said they remember the day they got the call that changed their lives forever. During the morning of March 18, McRee’s employee 48-year-old James Phillip Barla came to their home.
“The truth is that James was not supposed to be working with Michael that day,” McRee’s mom Courtney O’Rear said. “He showed up to the house and asked if he could give him work. Michael was being the generous soul that he did, he said ‘sure.’”
The family knew Barla and shared a friendly relationship with him. The family said while Barla and McRee were headed to a job site, Barla stabbed McRee.
“They were driving and for an unknown reason James stabbed Michael in the chest, in the neck and three times in the back,” O’Rear said. “Michael bailed out of his truck while it was still moving.”
McRee and Barla were both transported to the hospital for their injuries. McRee succumbed to his injuries.
The family said they don’t understand why Barla attacked McRee.
“They carried a friendship outside of work.,” Stewart said. “We had James, and they would come over for dinner. We had just gone to his grandson’s birthday party, and it’s. It’s just very confusing.”
Barla was arrested and charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony.
The family said they are still left with a lot of unanswered questions and memories of the man they loved so much.
“This is going to be a hard process, but I know he’s here with me and I see him in little things,” Stewart said.
McRee’s Stepdad Casey O’Rear said, “He was an incredible dad and I just wanted to tell him that I wish I had told him more.”
Barla made a court appearance Thursday, where the judge denied his bond.
The family has a GoFundMe set up to help support his fiancé and two children his leave behind.