VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Joe Kennedy, the person of interest in the gruesome quadruple murder of four missing men from Okmulgee, Oklahoma, has been arrested in Florida. Authorities say Kennedy, the owner of a salvage yard, was taken into custody on a grand theft auto charge in Daytona Beach Shores on Monday, October 17.
The four men – 32-year-old Mark Chastain, 30-year-old Billy Chastain, 32-year-old Mike Sparks, and 29-year-old Alex Stevens – were reported missing a week ago by family members. Their dismembered bodies were discovered in a river southwest of Okmulgee on Friday.
Investigators previously traced one of the men’s phones to Kennedy’s salvage yard but found no evidence there. However, they did uncover signs of a violent event at a nearby property. Kennedy had denied knowing the victims during interviews, but when authorities tried to speak with him again, he had disappeared.
Kennedy was arrested after being found driving a vehicle reported stolen to the Okmulgee Police Department. He is currently being held without bond in the Volusia County Jail. Additionally, a warrant has been issued for his arrest in connection to a 2012 shooting, with a bond set at $500,000.
Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice described the case as one of the most violent he has encountered, having worked over 80 murder investigations in his career. “This case involves the highest number of victims and it’s a very violent event,” Prentice said.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to follow new leads. Anyone with information regarding the case or Kennedy’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Okmulgee Police Department at 918-756-3511.
