Former pro wrestler Billy Jack Haynes charged with murder in wife’s death

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Former professional wrestler William Albert “Billy Jack” Haynes, Jr. was released from a hospital Wednesday afternoon and taken to jail on murder charges, the Portland Police Bureau announced.

Haynes, who wrestled with the WWE (then the WWF) in the 1980s, was taken into custody earlier this month after a reported shooting at a home in Portland. On Thursday, Feb. 8, police were called to a home in the city’s Lents neighborhood, spending multiple hours trying to contact a man inside the home. Believing he may have been armed, authorities asked those in the area to shelter in place.

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Roughly two hours after police arrived on the scene, the man — later identified as Haynes — came out of the home and was detained.

When officers got into the home, they found the body of Haynes’ wife Janette Becraft, 85. Her death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.

Haynes, 70, remained in police custody while being treated at a local hospital earlier this month. Portland police had said in a statement that Haynes’ hospitalization concerned “a medical condition unrelated to the homicide or his contact with law enforcement.”

Upon his release Wednesday, Haynes was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center for charges of murder in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon, officials announced.

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Haynes had started his pro-wrestling career in 1982, but began his stint with the then-WWF in 1986, according to the “WWE Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to World Wrestling Entertainment.” Some of his major storylines revolved around feuds with “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Hercules.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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