MADISON (WKOW) – There is not a day that goes by that Kevin Strattan does not think about his daughter, Brooke.
“It’s not anything I’d wish on anybody,” Strattan said.
Stratton said grief often arrives without warning, sparked by a thought, a memory, or even a song.
“The memories hit you, just the thoughts.” Strattan said. “I think that drives what kind of grieving is going on.”
Strattan was thinking about Brooke all day Monday, after the man who killed her, James Barnes-Morris, pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree reckless homicide.
A charge of first-degree intentional homicide was dismissed by the Dane Count District Attorney's office as part of a plea deal. Barnes-Morris was originally scheduled to go on trial in January.
Strattan described Brooke as kind and compassionate, with a big heart and a deep love for animals and music.
Music, in particular, remains a powerful connection between the two.
“We have our own father-daughter playlist,” Strattan said. “I don’t listen to it a whole lot because it brings up memories. But when any of those songs come on coincidentally, I think about her.”
Strattan carries a physical reminder of his daughter with him every day: a necklace created in her memory. It includes 24 amethyst stones, one for each year of Brooke’s life, her opal birthstone, a treble clef symbolizing her love of music and an edelweiss charm for 'The Sound of Music.'
“It was her favorite movie,” Strattan said.
Monday’s court date brought a sense of relief to the family, sparing them from a trial and allowing them to begin the process of closure and focus on Brooke’s legacy.
In her honor, the family has donated to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) in Madison.
Strattan hopes that by sharing his daughter’s story, others will feel encouraged to ask for help when they need it.
“If you ever need help, please reach out, even if you don’t see eye to eye with your parents, sometimes they can help you,” Strattan said. “I wish she would’ve reached out.”
If you or someone you know feels unsafe in a relationship, help is available at (608) 251-4445 or text (608) 420-4638. In an emergency, call 911.
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