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Okmulgee police: Person of interest in Okmulgee murder case found in Florida

Posted at 10:25 PM, Oct 14, 2022
and last updated 2022-10-18 23:26:25-04

TULSA, Okla. — UPDATE: Okmulgee police confirm Joe Kennedy is now in custody.

He was arrested in a vehicle that was reported stolen to Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office on Oct. 17. Kennedy was arrested in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest in connection to another case involving a different shooting in 2012.

At this time, the investigation into the murders of the four missing men is ongoing.

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Okmulgee police announced Monday that human remains found in the Deep Fork River belonged to four men reported missing last week.

Mark Chastain, Billy Chastain, Mike Sparks, and Alex Stevens have been missing since October 9th.

Investigators said all four bodies had gunshot wounds and the bodies were dismembered before being put in the river. Last week, investigators updated families about the remains found in the case it turned out to be their loved ones.

“I hope this ain’t them, but it’s looking like it might be," Bennie Harjo, who knew them said. Harjo is a friend of the four men who disappeared Sunday night. He pulled up to where police had Sharp Road blocked off after Friday afternoon's discovery.

The family of two of the men involved has a GoFundMe to support the family.

“I would call evidence that there is potentially foul play involved," Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said. Prentice said just before 2:00 p.m. Friday someone reported a mysterious item in the area near the bridge over Deep Fork River.

“Officers responded and discovered what appears to be multiple human remains along the river," Prentice said.

Police blocked off the road leading to that bridge as investigators worked on gathering more evidence. Police said multiple agencies worked day and night to recover and process those remains and find out who they belonged to. Prentice sent out an update around 10 p.m. saying the bodies had been recovered from the water.

Okmulgee police press conference

Prentice said a witness told them the men planned to 'commit a criminal act' when they left on Sunday. Police said they want to talk to a person of interest, Joe Kennedy, they say he owns the salvage yard and an adjacent property. Police said evidence of a violent event was found at the salvage yard. He hasn't been seen since Saturday and may be suicidal.

Police found Kennedy's car behind an abandoned building in Morris.

This is a developing story and 2 News will update as we learn more.


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