Billy Jack Haynes facing elder abuse lawsuit following alleged murder of wife

Former pro wrestler Billy Jack Haynes (William Albert Haynes) is facing a lawsuit relating to the death of his wife Janette Becraft.

Haynes, 71, is accused of shooting Becraft to death in February 2024 and faces charges of second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, but it was ruled earlier this month that he is mentally unfit to stand trial. Now, the estate of Becraft has filed an elder abuse lawsuit against Haynes accusing him of five years of “repeated mental, physical, and financial abuse” toward Becraft in the years leading toward her death.

Becraft was 85 years old when she died and was said to be suffering from dementia.

The lawsuit is seeking $750,000 in damages and was filed on behalf of Becraft’s daughter Kimberly through attorney Daniel Lorenz.

“Among the claims filed against Haynes are that the former Portland Wrestling star made Becraft cut off contact with her family, liquidate her retirement funds and withdraw money from her account, and abandon her medical providers in favor of doctors he had a historical relationship with,” KPTV News in Portland wrote.

“The suit also claims that Haynes introduced her to drugs including heroin and meth, forced her to purchase a gun for him that he was unable to acquire due to his criminal record, and that he coerced her into marrying him in 2021.”

Among the other claims are that Haynes prevented food deliveries from Becraft’s family from reaching her, and that he had Becraft change her estate planning so that her family would not receive any of the proceeds.

Haynes was a wrestling star in Portland during his career and had a run in the WWF that included being part of the card for WrestleMania III. After his career ended, he’s known for participating in interviews where he spouted conspiracy theories. Haynes was among the plaintiffs in a concussion lawsuit filed against WWE in the 2010s that spent several years in the courts before ultimately being dismissed.

A “Dark Side of the Ring” episode on Haynes was included in the latest season of the show. In the documentary, he claimed that he did not murder Becraft. Haynes is now in Oregon State Hospital and will remain there until fit to stand trial.