Billy Jack Haynes: Former WWE wrestler charged for the fatal shooting of his wife Janette Becraf
PORTLAND, OREGON: Former WWE wrestler Billy Jack Haynes has been officially charged with the murder of his wife, according to police in Portland, Oregon.
In a news release, the Portland Police Bureau said that Haynes, 70, has been booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of murder in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon after his wife Janette Becraft, 85, was found dead in their home.
When were the authorities informed about the incident?
On February 8, the Portland Police Bureau said officers responded to a report of a shooting inside a home in the Lents neighborhood of Portland, and identified Becraft as the victim. Police say Haynes was at the home and did not cooperate with responding officers when they arrived on the scene.
Officers said they believed that he had been armed with a gun at the time, prompting the police to set up a perimeter around the home and issue a shelter in place order to nearby residents. The Portland Police Bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team also responded to the scene and Haynes was taken into custody.
When officers entered the home, they found Becraft deceased.
What did Janette Becraf's autopsy report reveal?
An autopsy done on Becraft by the medical examiner determined she had died due to a gunshot wound. Police said Haynes was later hospitalized due to a medical condition unrelated to the incident, though he remained in police custody. Officials noted at the time that he would be formally charged upon release from the hospital.
Janette Becraf had been suffering from dementia
One of Haynes’ neighbors told local Fox affiliate KPTV that Becraft had been suffering from dementia prior to her death, and Haynes had been recently hospitalized due to a fall. “You are now flying with the angels,” Becraft’s daughter, Kim Becraft Finlay, wrote on Facebook, New York Post reports. “They are lucky to have such a beautiful soul. Love you Mom,” she added.
Haynes is best known for having wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE, under the name Billy Jack Haynes from 1986 to 1988. He notably faced off against Hercules Hernandez at WrestleMania III. Haynes has also grappled with the likes of Ric Flair and Randy Savage during his time with the NWA and WWF respectively.
He retired from the sport in 1996 after brief tenures in several smaller promotions.
