Former professional wrestler Billy Jack Haynes arrested, accused of killing his wife

A former famous wrestler shocked fans when news broke over the weekend that he'd been arrested.

According to the New York Post, Billy Jack Haynes, who wrestled with some of the most famous names in the industry, was arrested for allegedly fatally shooting his wife last Thursday.

The outlet noted:

Police responded to reports of gunfire in the Portland neighborhood of Lents around 10 a.m. on Feb. 8 and learned that Haynes, 70, was inside the residence and refusing to come out.

After a roughly two-hour standoff, SWAT teams on scene were finally able to take Haynes into custody.

His wife, Janette Becraft, 85, was found dead at the scene, having suffered gunshot wounds.

Wrestler Billy Jack Haynes arrested; wife found dead after standoff. https://t.co/gR3AMsCuhV Click the image to read more:

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) February 13, 2024

"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," police said after they took Haynes into custody.

He added, "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."

The situation caught locals off guard. Brelynn Matthieu, a longtime friend and neighbor, said Haynes was a fixture in the local community.

"It’s just a huge tragedy," Matthieu told a local media outlet. "I was pretty decently close to both of them and loved them very much. It’s a really sad day, all around."

The Post noted:

Haynes is best known for his run in the World Wrestling Federation from 1986 to 1988, when he earned a spot on the famed 1987 Wrestlemania III card in Detroit.

He would eventually hang up his trunks in 1995 after brief tenures in several smaller promotions.

Born William Haynes Jr., the grappler has given frequent retrospective interviews since retirement, and acknowledged involvement with cocaine trafficking rings during the 1980s.

Social media users, including former fans, reacted to the shocking news.

"And he'll probably blame it on Vince (if you know Billy Jack's history it's not a stretch)," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Yep, heard about that yesterday. What a shame. Crazy stuff...."