Former pro wrestler to be charged in wife’s death, Portland police say
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A former pro wrestler is expected to be booked into jail in connection with his wife’s death, according to Oregon authorities.
Police were called to a home in Portland’s Lents neighborhood on Thursday for reports of a possible shooting. Officers then spent 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.
Roughly two hours after police arrived on the scene, the man came out of the home and was detained.
According to Portland Police, when officers were able to get into the home, they found a woman, who was pronounced dead. She has since been identified as 85-year-old Janette Becraft and her death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.
Police have since identified the man they took into custody as William Albert Haynes, Jr.
Haynes, 70, remains hospitalized for what police said is a medical issue not connected with Thursday’s incident.
Haynes is a former pro wrestler who went by the name Billy Jack Haynes. He had an up-and-down career, which began in 1982, wrestling against such well-known figures as Ric Flair and Randy “Macho Man” Savage.
A pro wrestling website said Haynes returned to Portland, opened a gym that failed, and returned to wrestling for a time.
According to police, Haynes is expected to be taken to jail when he is released from the hospital in the coming days. Authorities said charges against Haynes will be released once he is booked.