Global Courant
The in-laws of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and their grandson have been found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Oklahoma, police said Tuesday.
The dead were identified as Jack Janway, 69; wife Terry Janway, 68; and their grandson, Dalton Janway, 11, according to a statement from the Muskogee Police Department.
Department spokesman Lynn Hamlin said police do not believe the child belongs to Johnson and his wife.
Police said they believe Johnson’s mother-in-law, Terry Janway, killed her husband and her grandson before committing suicide.
Hamlin said Terry Janway was the “suspect” in the attack.
Authorities received a report of disturbances at the residence around 9:05 p.m. Monday, and arriving officers saw one person dead before hearing a gunshot and eventually discovering two more dead, police said.
According to NBC, the three are related to Johnsons’ wife, Chandra KJRH from Tulsa.
In a statement, the public school district in Muskogee, Oklahoma, said Dalton Janway was a fifth grade student at Sadler Arts Academy.
He was “treasured by his teachers and fellow classmates,” Muskogee Public Schools said.
Following the death, Johnson’s team pulled out of a race scheduled for Sunday, saying his family had asked for privacy.
“LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago,” the team said. tweeted Tuesday.
NASCAR said in a statement Tuesday: “We are saddened by the tragic death of members of Chandra Johnson’s family. The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway family during this difficult time.”
Jimmie Johnson, from the San Diego area, is a seven-time champion and the only driver in the sport to win five consecutive championships, which he did in 2006 through 2010.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME at 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
Austin Mullen contributed.
