Oklahoma person-of-interest in killing, dismemberment of 4 men waives extradition

An Oklahoma man who is a person-of-interest in the killing and dismemberment of four men in that state has waived extradition, clearing the way for his return.

Joseph Kennedy II, 67, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was being held without bond Thursday at the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he has been since his arrest Oct. 18 when he was stopped driving a stolen truck he said belonged to a friend, an affidavit stated.

Kennedy waived extradition on Tuesday according to a court document. Authorities in Oklahoma can make arrangements to pick him up at the Volusia jail and return him to that state.

Kennedy is a person of interest in the deaths of four men in Okmulgee whose dismembered bodies were found in the Deep Fork River in Oklahoma, according to the Okmulgee Police Department. The victims' bodies had gunshot wounds, investigators said.

Mark Chastain, 32, Billy Chastain, 30, and Mike Sparks, 32, all of Okmulgee were reported missing by Mark Chastain's wife on Oct. 10. A few hours later, Alex Stevens, 29, also of Okmulgee, was reported missing by his mother, police said.

Police believe the four friends left Billy Chastain's home on bicycles around 8 p.m. Oct. 9, according to a news release.

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Okmulgee police said they spoke to Kennedy II once, but after finding blood on a property adjacent to his salvage yard, police tried to reach him again, but he had disappeared.

In an email on Thursday, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice wrote that another agency would handle Kennedy's transportation, which would be arranged through the court system.

An investigator at the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office said it would handle transport, but had not yet been made aware of any plans.

Daytona Beach Shores Police arrested Kennedy about 8:29 a.m. Oct. 18 on A1A at the Botefuhr Avenue approach when a license plate reader alerted them that the truck he was driving had been reported stolen in Oklahoma.

Kennedy told police that “he was suicidal, with plans to jump off of a hotel balcony,” the affidavit stated.

Kennedy said the Toyota Tundra he was driving belonged to a friend, according to the affidavit. Kennedy said that about two months ago, the friend said he could use the truck “whenever he wanted,” the affidavit stated.

Kennedy told police he went to the Tundra owner's house on Oct. 14 and, without telling his friend, drove off in the vehicle, the affidavit stated. He said the keys were in the truck.

Kennedy told police that “he intended to drive to Florida for the weekend. He did not go home like planned,” and said he was suicidal, the affidavit stated.

Daytona Beach Shores police charged Kennedy with grand theft of a motor vehicle.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, help is available at 800-539-4228 or by calling a suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Man arrested in Daytona Beach Shores waives extradition to Oklahoma