Janette Becraft : “WWE Star Charged with Murder”

Former WWE wrestling star Billy Jack Haynes has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, according to authorities.

The Oregonian reports William Albert “Billy Jack” Haynes Jr. was taken into police custody at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, where he was undergoing treatment “for a medical condition unrelated to the homicide or his contact with law enforcement.”

According to ET, Haynes, 70, was arrested and transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center, where he was charged with murder in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon.

Haynes is accused of fatally shooting his wife, Janette Becraft, 85, on Feb. 8. According to the Portland Police Bureau, police responded to the scene with the assistance of a Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team. Haynes gave himself up after an hours-long standoff and Becraft’s body was found inside.

According to the medical examiner, Becraft died of homicide by gunshot wound. Haynes was later identified as the suspect.

A neighbor told Fox 12 in Portland that Becraft had been suffering from dementia. The neighbor said she looked after Becraft while Haynes was hospitalized for broken ribs sustained in a fall.

Haynes was a professional wrestler known as Billy Jack Haynes in the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), now known as the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). He performed at WrestleMania III in 1987 and fought stars like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Hercules Hernandez, and Ric Flair, before retiring in 1996.

Entertainment Weekly reports Haynes was one of several former wrestlers who sued the WWE over injuries suffered in the ring, alleging “egregious mistreatment” and failure to protect its athletes from head injuries and serious brain damage from concussions (CTE). The class-action lawsuit was dismissed in 2019.

Haynes is scheduled to appear in court Thursday, according to KPTV.