The father of accused double murderer Joshua Hunter says his family is grieving both for his son and the soldiers he is accused of murdering.

Ona resident James Hunter told WSAZ.com Thursday that his heart aches for his 20-year-old son.

Joshua Hunter waived extradition Thursday in Scioto County, Ohio. He's now back in New York to face charges that he allegedly stabbed to death his Army buddies Waide James and Diego Valbuena. They were found dead Tuesday in an apartment where they lived with Hunter and his wife near Fort Drum, New York. The men were stationed there.

James Hunter said his son told his daughter-in-law that all three soldiers had been drinking. "Josh does not do well when he drinks," his father said. "He blacks out. He told Emily he doesn't remember anything and when he woke up he found the boys and then he freaked."

Joshua Hunter dropped out of Cabell Midland High School during his junior year. He soon earned his GED and then left for the Army the day after he turned 18. His father says he served 15-months in Iraq and just returned to the states in the spring.

Hunter and the two victims were just in Ona back in October for a visit on a four-day pass. "They were good friends," his father said. "This makes this even more bizarre."

James Hunter says he knew his son was having problems. He learned he was getting some counseling from the Army. He says he doesn't know what happened in that apartment, but he doesn't believe his son planned it. "I don't believe it was premeditated. I just cannot believe that Josh would premeditate and do something like this," Mr. Hunter said.

The father is looking for further explanation. "What I’m praying is that something will be found that maybe this will make sense, because right now it just doesn't make sense," Hunter said.