Oklahoma police found themselves with an interesting case that continues to twist and turn as the days go on. The case started last Sunday when four men, Mike Sparks (32), Alex Steven (29), Mark Chastain (32), and his brother Billy (30), all decided to take a bike ride. Although a common activity for some, their families grew increasingly concerned when none of them returned. Notifying the police, authorities searched the area and found nothing. That lasted around a week until four bodies were discovered in an Oklahoma river on Friday. While it might seem that the police have a murderer on their hands, reports indicate that the four victims might have been planning a criminal act of their own.

Going far beyond the state of Oklahoma, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said that governments on all levels helped with the search and recovery of the four men. That included local, state, and federal. The four men were found dismembered and with gunshot wounds in the Deep Fork River. Chief Prentice admitted, “We believe the men planned to commit some kind of criminal act when they left the residence on West 6th Street. 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.”

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For those who might not know, “hit a lick” is a slang term often referred to when stealing money or obtaining it in an illegal way.

Chief Prentice recalled speaking with the families, noting, “I did speak with the family members. I think they had already resolved themselves that this was their loved ones, but the additional information about dismemberment was obviously a shock, and they were very distraught. I’ve worked over 80 murders in my career. I have worked murders involving multiple victims. I have worked dismemberments. But this case involves the highest number of victims, and it’s a very violent event. So I can’t say I’ve never worked anything like it, but it’s right up there at the top.”

Thanks to each victim carrying a phone, the police were able to locate their last location, which happened to be a salvage yard owned by Joe Kennedy. When police conducted an initial search of the area, they found evidence that a violent crime took place. Chief Prentice said during the press conference, “The owner of both salvage yards, Joe Kennedy, is considered a person of interest, but no charges have been filed.” He added, “Investigators would like to speak with him again. Mr. Kennedy was reported missing Saturday night and may be suicidal.”

Besides finding the remains of the four men, their bikes and even a murder weapon have not been found.

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