Police/Facebook (Billy Jack Haynes) Billy Jack Haynes
Former WWE star Billy Jack Haynes is accused in the shooting death of his 85-year-old wife in Portland, Oregon, according to Portland police.
“The suspect in the Thursday Lents Neighborhood homicide investigation is identified as William Albert Haynes, Jr, 70, of Portland. Haynes is Janette Becraft’s husband,” police wrote in a February 10 news release, using Haynes’ legal name.
“He is in police custody at a local hospital while he is being treated for a medical condition unrelated to the homicide or his contact with law enforcement. Once he is released from the hospital, which may be days from now, he is expected to be booked into jail. Haynes’ charges will be released once he is booked.”
The identity of the suspect was first reported by wrestling sites like Ringside News.
In a press release, police identified the victim as Janette Becraft, 85. According to an obituary for her son, she was married to Billy Jack Haynes, 70.
According to IMDb, Billy Jack Haynes “was born on July 10, 1953 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He is an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), UWF Fury Hour (1990) and WWF Prime Time Wrestling (1985).”
The New York Times reported that Haynes “at the peak of his career,” wrestling as Billy Jack Haynes, “faced Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage and in 1987 went against Hercules Hernandez in WrestleMania III.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Janette Becraft Was Shot to Death, Police Said
Portland policeJanette Becraft
Police released a cause of death and photo of the victim.
“The victim of the deadly shooting in the Lents Neighborhood has been identified as Janette Becraft, 85, of Portland. Her family has been notified of her death. They are asking for privacy at this time, but they did provide the attached photo for public release,” police wrote.
“The Medical Examiner determined Becraft died of homicide by gunshot wound. A suspect is in police custody. The name will be released upon formal charging,” the police release says.
In a previous press release, police wrote, “One person was found deceased, and another person detained, after tactical teams responded to reports of a shooting in the Lents Neighborhood.”
On Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 9:52 a.m., “East Precinct officers responded to reports of a shooting inside a home in the 6000 block of Southeast 100th Avenue,” according to police.
“Officers determined the suspect was inside the home and they requested assistance from the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) in order to safely take the suspect into custody. Officers went inside the home and located an adult female who was deceased. Homicide detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. There is no ongoing threat to the community.”
According to IMDb, Haynes “started wrestling in 1982 after serving a prison term for armed robbery.” His full name is William Haynes Jr., IMDb reported.
Billy Jack Haynes Was Best Friends With Janette Becraft’s Son Before They Married
Facebook (Billy Jack Haynes)Billy Jack Haynes
Haynes’ Facebook page says he lives in Portland, Oregon. He hasn’t posted on the page since 2015, however.
Brelynn Matthieu told KOIN 6 she is a neighbor to the couple involved in the shooting.
“It’s just a huge tragedy,” Matthiew said to the television station. “I was pretty decently close to both of them and loved them very much. It’s a really sad day, all around.”
An obituary for Becraft’s son from 2021 confirmed she was married to Billy Jack Haynes.
“Janette Becraft Haynes and Dwight Becraft’s only son, Tod, was born Nov. 15, 1962,” it reads. “Tod was a World Champion bench presser at 551 lbs. Tod and his mother had an inseparable bond. They spoke on the phone daily.”
It says: “Billy Jack Haynes was Tod’s best friend. They met when Tod was nine years old. After Dwight passed away, Janette and Billy Jack married. Janette named her guinea pig Lil’ Todster, after her beloved son.”
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