Home US Former wrestling star Billy Jack Haynes, 70, is accused of fatally shooting his 85-year-old wife in their Portland home less than two years after they married.

Former wrestling star Billy Jack Haynes, 70, is accused of fatally shooting his 85-year-old wife in their Portland home less than two years after they married.

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Billy Jack Haynes, 70, is suspected of shooting and killing his wife
  • Retired wrestler Billy Jack Haynes has been officially charged with murder.
  • Haynes, who performed at WrestleMania III in 1987, was retired in 1996.
  • DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.

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Retired wrestler Billy Jack Haynes has been officially charged with murder for the shooting death of his wife, Janette Becraft, in their Portland, Oregon home on February 8.

William Albert Haynes Jr., 70, faces one count of second-degree murder and one count of unlawful use of a weapon following his two-hour standoff with SWAT teams earlier this month. Police entered the home and discovered that Becraft, 85, had been shot to death.

Haynes was taken to a local hospital for “a medical condition unrelated to the homicide or his contact with authorities,” according to police.

On Wednesday, Haynes was released from the hospital and taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center, according to Portland police. He is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday.

No motive for the alleged murder has been revealed.

Billy Jack Haynes, 70, is suspected of shooting and killing his wife

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.

Janette Becraft, 85, was found shot to death in her Portland, Oregon, home on February 8.

Janette Becraft, 85, was found shot to death in her Portland, Oregon, home on February 8.

Haynes refused to cooperate with police, leading to a two-hour standoff with Portland police.

Haynes refused to cooperate with police, leading to a two-hour standoff with Portland police.

Haynes refused to cooperate with police, leading to a two-hour standoff with Portland police.

Haynes, who performed at WrestleMania III in 1987, retired in 1996 and married Becraft in 2022.

Becraft was actually the mother of another wrestler, Tod Ruhl, who was reportedly Haynes’ best friend before passing away in 2021.

Haynes was reportedly married three times before Becraft, including a year-long union with English wrestler Jeanie Clarke, who performed as Lady Blossom.

Becraft’s family reacted to his death on social media.

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, referenced unspecified past abuse suffered by Becraft and her daughter: “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.

Haynes competed in WWE from 1986 to 1988, including a match at WrestleMania III.

Haynes competed in WWE from 1986 to 1988, including a match at WrestleMania III.

Haynes competed in WWE from 1986 to 1988, including a match at WrestleMania III.

“Hearing the pain and anguish in her voice as 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 was a mainstay of several wrestling promotions before joining the WWF (now WWE) in 1986, wrestling everyone from ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage to Ric Flair.

He later admitted to trafficking cocaine beginning in 1977 and continuing into the 1980s, according to reports from several media outlets, including KARK in Arkansas.

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