The NASCAR driver speaks out for the first time since the tragedy.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has broken his silence for the first time since the devastating death of his in-laws and nephew in what appears to be a murder-suicide on June 26 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Johnson, who was recently nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024, released a brief statement on Instagram this past Friday. “Our family is devastated by the profound loss of Lynn, Jack, and Dalton Janway,” Johnson’s statement read. “We have been humbled by the outpouring of love and support during this unthinkably sad time and remain grateful for all of your compassion.”
The tragedy unfolded when Muskogee Police responded to a 911 call about a disturbance and a person with a gun inside the home. Upon their arrival, officers found one individual “laying in the hallway inside the front door” and soon after heard a gunshot from within the residence, according to the department’s statement. Subsequent police body-cam footage, released earlier this month, depicted a disturbing scene, with a victim visible through a window covered with a “blanket,” just moments before a gunshot was heard as law enforcement approached the unlocked front door.
Additional details provided by the Muskogee Police Department identified Jack Janway, 69, as the individual found near the front door. His wife, Terry Janway, 68, was later discovered on a couch “next to a handgun.” The final victim was found in a bedroom. Authorities told Fox News Digital that they are treating the incident as a potential murder-suicide and are considering Terry Janway as a possible suspect.
As the investigation continues to unfold, the NASCAR community and fans have rallied around Johnson and his family. While Johnson’s statement was brief, it underscored the immense pain and confusion that he and his loved ones are currently going through. The event brings a sorrowful pause to Johnson’s illustrious racing career and serves as a painful reminder that the athletes we often admire as heroes on the track are, above all, human beings.
