NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson’s mother-in-law allegedly killed her husband and grandson in a suspected murder-suicide Monday, according to multiple reports.
A Muskogee Police Department press release cited by CNN and provided to Audacy said that a woman called 911 at around 9:05 p.m. to tell them “someone” had a gun before hanging up. Upon arrival, they found a subject laying in the hall of the Muskogee, Okla., home and then heard another gunshot from inside.
Eventually, two more subjects were found at the scene. Police have identified the deceased as 69-year-old Jack Janway; his wife, 68-year-old Terry Janway, and their 11-year-old grandson, Dalton Janway.
Jack and Terry Janway are also the parents of Chandra Janway, Johnson’s wife. After graduating from University of Oklahoma, she moved to New York City to pursue a modeling career, according to People. Johnson’s teammate and car owner Jeff Gordon introduced the couple, per The Bleacher Report. They were married in 2004 and have two daughters.
Muskogee police officer Lynn Hamlin told People Magazine that authorities believe the woman who called 911 was Terry Janway. As of this week, she is the suspect, said the outlet, which also idenitifed Jack as a chiropractor.
“The Janway Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic staff are appreciative of your condolences and messages. We ask for your understanding and for privacy during this time,” said a Monday Facebook post from the clinic.
“It was traumatizing to find out that a long-standing family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident. It was even more bone-chilling to find out there was a child involved,” Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman told local Fox 23 News. “I knew Dr. Janway. Dr Janway has worked on me, we’ve been acquaintances for a very, very long time since I’ve been in Muskogee. Just knowing that it was him and his family took a different toll on me.”
Additionally, Muskogee Public Schools released a statement Monday saying, that the district “mourns the loss of Dalton Janway who died Monday night,” and Identified him as a fifth-grade student at Sadler Arts Academy, “who was cherished by his teachers and fellow classmates.”
“Please tell me this isn’t really happening please god someone,” said another post from Marianne Janway, identified by PEOPLE as Johnson’s sister-in-law.
In 2014, Chandra Janway’s brother, Jordan Janway, died in a skydiving accident. Per his obituary, Jordan Janway’s siblings were Chandra, Marianne and Caleb Janway.
According to CNN, NASCAR issued a statement Tuesday saying, “We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family.
The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.”
Legacy Motor Club announced that it elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet, Johnson’s car, from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago.
“The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made,” said a tweet from the club.
Related
Related
