The four men whose bodies were found in an Oklahoma river last week were on their way to commit a crime when they were shot and dismembered, according to police.
Mark Chastain, 32, his brother Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29, were missing for approximately a week when their remains were discovered in Deep Fork River on Friday, according to The New York Post. The four men went on a bike ride on Sunday evening, and authorities believe they were on their way to commit a crime when they were killed, the outlet reported.
Multiple agencies at the local, state and federal level assisted in the recovery, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice noted during a press conference, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Nearly 40% Of Law Enforcement Agencies Failed To Report 2021 Crime Data To FBI)
“We believe the men planned to commit some kind of criminal act when they left the residence on West 6th Street,” Prentice stated. “That belief is based on information supplied by a witness, who reports they were invited to go with the men to ‘hit a lick’ big enough for all of them.”
“Hit a lick” is reportedly slang term for “obtaining money illegally,” according to the outlet.
WATCH LIVE: Okmulgee police are expected to update its investigation into four men found in a river last week. https://t.co/Y2Eepsl6Ge
— News 9 (@NEWS9) October 17, 2022
The victims all had gunshot wounds, and investigators believe the bodies were dismembered before the men were dumped into the river, News Channel 8 reported.
Okmulgee police are currently searching for a person of interest, according to NY Post. One of the men’s cell phones reportedly pinged at a salvage yard. When police conducted an on-site investigation of the location and the surrounding area, they discovered evidence of a “violent event” on adjoining property, Prentice shared with the press, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Boss Allegedly Killed Employee, Buried Him Under Septic Tank)
“The owner of both salvage yards, Joe Kennedy, is considered a person of interest but no charges have been filed,” Prentice stated at the press conference. “Investigators would like to speak with him again. Mr. Kennedy was reported missing Saturday night, and may be suicidal.” Kennedy reportedly owns both properties, according to police.
The victims’ bodies are believed to have been in the river since last Sunday, according to officials. Investigators have not recovered the victims’ bicycles, and a murder weapon has yet to be found, NY Post reported.