NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson opens up about his family’s recent tragedy.
The seven-time Cup Series champion lost three of his in-laws last month to what authorities suspect is a murder-suicide. Jack and Terry Lynn Janway – the parents of Johnson’s wife – and their young grandson Dalton were found dead in an Oklahoma home on June 26.
“Our family is devastated by the loss of Lynn, Jack and Dalton Janway,” Johnson wrote on Friday in an Instagram post. “We are honored by the tremendous love and support at this unimaginably sad time and appreciate all of your sympathy.”
The bodies were discovered at the Muskogee home after a woman called 911 to report a gun-related malfunction. Police entered the home and found 69-year-old Jack Janway dead in a hallway. They then heard a gunshot before coming upon the bodies of Terry Lynn Janway, 68, and Dalton, 11.
Muskogee Police Spokesman said Lynn Hamlin at the time that investigators believed Terry Lynn Janway fatally shot her husband and grandson before taking her own life. Police body cam footage The moment was captured when officers entered the home and found Jack Janway dead under a blanket.
When the news broke, NASCAR issued a message of condolences.
“We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family” it said, referring to Jimmie Johnson’s wife. “The entire NASCAR family extends their deepest support and condolences to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families at this difficult time.”
Jimmie Johnson retired from a race in Chicago after the tragedy but did not publicly comment on the incident as of Friday. Although no motive for the shooting was given, Terry Lynn Janway said allegedly later struggled with depression lose her son In a skydiving accident in 2014.
Johnson retired from NASCAR in 2020 to join IndyCar’s Chip Ganassi Racing. He recently competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race in Charlotte, North Carolina in May.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988, text, or chat 988lifeline.org to support mental health. In addition, see local resources for mental health and crises at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside the US, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.