By Isabelle Stanley For Dailymail.Com
14:22 11 Feb 2024, updated 15:31 11 Feb 2024
- Billy Jack Haynes, 70, is accused of shooting and killing his wife, Janette Becraft, 85, on February 8
- Police descended on the house after reports of a shooting but Haynes refused to come out sparking a two hour stand-off
- He is now in the hospital being treated for an unrelated medical issue
Former WWE star Billy Jack Haynes has been accused of shooting and killing his 85-year-old wife before an hours-long stand-off with the police.
Haynes, 70, whose real name is William Albert Haynes, was a fixture of 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 descended on the home after reports of a shooting but Haynes refused to leave the house, sparking a two-hour stand-off with cops.
He ‘eventually came out’ and was taken into custody – police then found Becraft shot dead inside the house.
No motive has been released for the alleged killing and formal charges have not yet been announced.
Haynes had reportedly settled down at the house after he retired 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 passed away, Janette and Billy Jack married. Janette named her guinea pig Lil’ Todster, after her beloved son.’
Becraft’s daughter, Kim Becraft Finlay, wrote on Facebook: ‘You are 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, as my Aunt Jan was this past Thursday morning in Portland, all that comes flooding back is the endless work her daughter did to get her away from her abuser.
‘Hearing the pain and heartbreak in her voice as she tells me “He shot her this morning, she didn’t make it”.
‘She loved her mother deeply and did all she could, but services she called to help her, only failed her and Jan.’
The couple were well known in the area, neighbor Steve Odry told KOIN: ‘He was telling me all kinds of stories about old wrestling and I told him how I used to go watch him.’
Neighbor Brelynn Matthieu said it was a ‘tragedy’, she added: ‘I was pretty decently close to both of them and loved them very much. It’s a really 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 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.’
Haynes is best known for his time in WWE between 1986 and 1988, he fought in WrestleMania III.
He retired from the ring in 1995 after fighting in New Japan Pro Wrestling and then WCW and USWA.
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
