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 his grandson, 11-year-old Dalton Janway, according to a statement from the Muskogee Police Department.
Department spokeswoman 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 grandson before killing herself.
Hamlin said Terry Janway was the «suspect» in the attack.
Authorities received a report of a disturbance at the residence around 9:05 p.m. Monday, and arriving officers saw one person dead before hearing a gunshot and ultimately discovering two more people dead, police said.
All three are related to the Johnsons’ wife, Chandra, according to the NBC affiliate. KJRH from Tulsa.
In a statement, the Muskogee, Oklahoma, public school district said Dalton Janway was a fifth-grader at Sadler Academy of the Arts.
He was «appreciated by his teachers and classmates,» the Muskogee Public Schools said.
Following the deaths, Johnson’s team withdrew from a race scheduled for Sunday and said his family requested privacy.
“LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has elected to retire the No. 84 Chevrolet Carvana 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 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 all of the Johnson & Janway families.»
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 between 2006 and 2010.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255text HOME to 741741 or visit TalkingSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
austin mullen contributed.