Former WWE star Billy Jack Haynes has been charged with shooting and killing his 85-year-old wife ahead of 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 his home in the Lents neighborhood of Portland, Oregon.
Tactical teams entered the house after reports of a shooting, but Haynes refused to leave the house, leading to a two-hour standoff with police.
He eventually ‘came out’ and was taken into custody – police then found Becraft shot dead in the house.
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 has been released for the alleged murder and no formal charges have been announced.
Haynes had reportedly moved into the house after retiring from wrestling.
Becraft was the mother of another pro wrestler, Tod Becraft, who fought under the name Tod Ruhl.
Haynes and Tod were best friends and met when they were nine years old. When Becraft’s husband Dwight died, she married Haynes.
An obituary for Tod Becraft, who died in 2021, reads: “Billy Jack Haynes was Tod’s best friend. They met when Tod was nine years old.
“After Dwight died, Janette and Billy Jack got married. Janette named her guinea pig Lil’ Todster, after her beloved son.’
Becraft’s daughter, Kim Becraft Finlay, wrote on Facebook: “You’re now flying with the Angels. They are lucky to have such a beautiful soul. Love you mom.”
Her niece, Sue Becraft, wrote, “When a family member is murdered, like my Aunt Jan was murdered in Portland last Thursday morning, the only thing that comes back is the endless work her daughter did to get her away from her abuser.
“I heard the pain and sadness in her voice as she told me, ‘He shot her this morning, she didn’t make it.’
‘She loved her mother very much and did everything she could, but the services she called to help her left her and Jan alone.’
Haynes competed in the WWE between 1986 and 1988 – his biggest match 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
Haynes retired from the ring in 1995
The couple was well known in the area, neighbor Steve Odry told KOIN: “He told me all kinds of stories about old wrestling and I told him how I always went to him.”
Neighbor Brelynn Matthieu said it was a ‘tragedy’, she added: ‘I was quite close to both of them and loved them very much. It really is a sad day, all around.”
Haynes was taken into custody after the shooting.
Police said: “He is in police custody at a local hospital while he is treated for a medical condition unrelated to the murder or his contact with police.
“Once he is released from hospital, which could be in a few days, he is expected to be booked into prison. Haynes’ charges will be released once he is booked.”
Haynes is best known for his time in WWE between 1986 and 1988. He fought at WrestleMania III.
He retired from the ring in 1995 after fighting in New Japan Pro Wrestling and then WCW and USWA.