MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA: NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson’s family is currently mourning the death of his wife’s parents, who were found dead in what appeared to be a murder-suicide. Chandra Janway’s parents Jack and Terry Janway, as well as their 11-year-old grandson Dalton, were found dead in their Muskogee home on Monday, June 26, 2023, after authorities were called in for disturbance involving a firearm.
Muskogee Police confirmed to Daily Mail that officers rushed to Janway’s residence after receiving a 911 call from a woman, who described a person with a pistol before abruptly hanging up the phone. Upon their arrival, first responders found Jack's body in the hallway, while Terry and Dalton were discovered inside the house. All three victims had died from gunshot wounds. The deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide and police say Terry is believed to be the primary suspect, as per CBS News. Following the incident, Johnson’s sister-in-law Marianne expressed her grief on Facebook and said, "Please tell me this isn’t really happening please god someone."
Who were Terry and Jack Janway?
Terry was 68 years old at the time of her death, while Jack was a 69-year-old. They welcomed Chandra in 1978 just a few years after their marriage. As per People, Jack worked as a chiropractor in Muskogee, where he ran his clinic named Janway Chiropractic and Acupuncture. They were remembered for their willingness to help and support others. Speaking about Jack, Mayor Marlon Coleman told FOX23, “It was traumatizing to find out that a long-standing family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident.”
“I knew Dr Janway. Dr Janway has worked on me, we’ve been acquaintances for a very, very long time since I’ve been in Muskogee. Just knowing that it was him and his family took a different toll on me,” he continued.
The Janways' long-term friend Brian Ousley, who is the founder/owner of Strictly Fitness, remembered them as very kind people, who supported the center's annual Weight Loss Challenge and were long-time friends. "We were friends long before we started the challenge," Ousley told Enid News. "Anything we needed to support the challenge, he was always ready to help. He spoke, not just from a chiropractic perspective, but from a medical perspective as to the downside of obesity and the benefits of exercise," he further stated.
Johnson withdrew from next race after his in-laws' death
Following Terry and Jack’s death, Legacy Motor Club confirmed that the seven-time NASCAR Cup champion is withdrawing from Sunday's Grant Park 220 NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago. "Legacy Motor Club has elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago," a statement read. NASCAR said Tuesday in a statement that it was "saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson's family," and that it "extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie, and the entire Johnson & Janway families."
