TUSCON, Ariz. (WNCN) – Rexford Lynn Keel, the Nash County man accused of killing his wife, waived extradition and will be back in North Carolina Friday morning. 

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone was in Pima County Thursday as Keel appeared in court. 

Stone said he would hold a news conference in Nashville at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Lee Ann Roads found Lynn Keel knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently gave up his right to challenge extradition and signed the waiver. 

Keel was arrested Sunday near Tuscon. According to the Arizona search warrant, he was found with a knife, camping gear, and medication. Court documents show his pickup truck was spotted by a license plate reader. 

Keel is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Diana Keel. Court documents show she was found wearing only underwear and her wedding ring. Tire tracks were found close to her body.

Diana Keel was reported missing more than a week before her body was found. Lynn Keel was questioned following her disappearance but later released. 

Lynn Keel was found with a large amount of cash and was possibly headed to the Mexican border, the sheriff said.

Both his cars had been seized before he left so Lynn Keel was driving a vehicle that belongs to his parents.

On Sunday, Stone said that Diana Keel died from multiple stab wounds.

Diana Keel was last seen alive March 8 by a postal worker who delivered a package to her at 11 a.m., Stone said Sunday. Diana Keel was reported missing the next day.

From the beginning, investigators called Lynn Keel a person of interest in the case.