Former WWE star Billy Jack Haynes has been accused of shooting and killing his 85-year-old wife before an hours-long standoff with police.
Haynes, 70, whose real name is William Albert Haynes, was a fixture on the Portland wrestling scene and appeared at WrestleMania III.
He is now suspected of killing his “angel” wife, Janette Becraft, 85, on the morning of February 8 at their home in the Lents neighborhood of Portland, Oregon.
Tactical teams arrived at the home after reports of a shooting, but Haynes refused to leave the home, leading to a two-hour standoff with police.
“He finally came out” and was arrested; Police later found Becraft shot to death inside the home.
Billy Jack Haynes, 70, is suspected of shooting and killing his wife
Janette Becraft, 85, was found shot to death in her Portland, Oregon, home on February 8.
No motive for the alleged murder has been revealed and no formal charges have been announced.
The couple had reportedly moved into the house after Haynes retired from wrestling.
Becraft was the mother of another professional wrestler, Tod Becraft, who wrestled under the name Tod Ruhl.
Haynes and Tod Becraft were best friends and met when they were nine years old, when Becraft’s husband died, she married Haynes.
An obituary for Tod Becraft, who died in 2021, says: ‘Billy Jack Haynes was Tod’s best friend. They met when Tod was nine years old.
‘After Dwight’s death, Janette and Billy Jack married. Janette named her guinea pig Lil’ Todster, after her beloved son.
Becraft’s daughter, Kim Becraft Finlay, wrote on Facebook: ‘You are now flying with the Angels. You are lucky to have such a beautiful soul. I love you MOM.’
Her niece, Sue Becraft, wrote: “When a family member is murdered, as my Aunt Jan was last Thursday morning in Portland, the only thing that comes back is the endless work her daughter did to keep her away from her abuser. .
‘Hearing the pain and anguish in her voice when she tells me: “He shot her this morning, but she didn’t survive.”
“She loved her mother deeply and did everything she could, but the services she called to help her only failed her and Jan.”
Haynes competed in WWE from 1986 to 1988; His most important fight was at WrestleMania III.
He refused to cooperate with police and did not leave the house for two hours.
Police then entered the home and found Becraft shot to death.
The couple was well known in the area, neighbor Steve Odry told KOIN: “He was telling me all kinds of stories about old wrestling and I told him how I used to go see him.”
Neighbor Brelynn Matthieu said it was a “tragedy,” adding, “I was pretty close to both of them and loved them very much.” “It’s a really sad day everywhere.”
Haynes was taken into custody, police said: “He is in police custody at a local hospital while he receives treatment for a medical condition unrelated to the homicide or his contact with authorities.”
‘Once he is released from the hospital, which may be within a few days, he is expected to be booked into jail. Haynes’ charges will be released once he is booked.
Haynes is best known for his time in WWE between 1986 and 1988, wrestling at WrestleMania III.
He retired from the ring in 1995 after wrestling in New Japan Pro Wrestling and then in WCW and USWA.