Former pro wrestler accused of fatally shooting wife

PORTLAND, Oregon — A former professional wrestler is in custody after police said he is suspected of shooting and killing his wife, who reportedly was suffering from dementia.

A news release from the Portland Police Department identifies Portland resident William Albert Haynes Jr., 70, who wrestled under the name Billy Jack Haynes, as the suspect in the death of his wife, Janette Becraft, 85. The shooting occurred on Feb. 8 at their home in Portland.

“(Haynes) 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,” the news release says. “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.”

Haynes briefly wrestled with the World Wrestling Federation, now known as the WWE, from 1986 to 1988, according to Wrestle Zone. The New York Times reports he once wrestled Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and he faced Hercules Hernandez in WrestleMania III in 1987. He last wrestled in 1995, reportedly quitting because of injuries.

Breelyn Matthieu, who lived next door to Haynes and his wife, tells the Oregonian that Becraft was dealing with dementia and that she often helped take care of her.

Matthieu said she recently had been caring for Becraft recently because Haynes was in the hospital being treated for a rib injury from a fall. She said Haynes checked out of the hospital because he missed his wife.

“He came back and told her, ‘You know I couldn’t be away from you,’” Matthieu tells the Oregoninan. “And she just rolled her eyes in a cute little way.”

Matthieu’s father tells the Oregonian that the couple were “inseparable.”

“They adored each other,” Thomas Matthieu said. “Everywhere they went they were hand in hand. It’s surreal.”