NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson’s in-laws and nephew have been found dead in a murder-suicide. What happened?

The motorsports community in the United States is in mourning after NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson’s in-laws and nephew were found shot dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Police suspect Johnson’s mother-in-law, Terri Janeway, 68, killed her husband Jack Janeway, 69, and grandson Dalton, 11, before shooting herself when police officers arrived at their Oklahoma home Monday night.

As tributes and condolences poured in from across the racing world, the police and family offered few indications as to what led to the suspected murder-suicide.

This isn’t the first time tragedy has struck the family. Nine years ago, Jordan Janeway, brother of Johnson’s wife Chandra Johnson, died in a skydiving accident.

Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has pulled out of racing in Chicago this weekend.

What do we know about the shooting?

The Muskogee Police Department said in a statement that it received a 911 call shortly after 9 p.m. on Monday, June 26, from a female caller who is believed to be Johnson’s mother-in-law, Terri Janeway.

The caller told dispatch that there was a “woman with a gun” at a house on Suroya Street before hanging up.

Officers arrived at the four-bedroom bungalow and found the body of Terry’s husband Jack Janeway lying in a corridor just inside the door.

Shortly thereafter, a single shot was heard from a separate room in the house, Muskogee police said in a statement.

The statement added, “The officers carried out a rescue operation for the subject inside the corridor, and concluded that the body was dead.”

After pulling to safety, the officers called for any passengers to exit.

When no one else did, they searched the house where they found the bodies of Terry and her grandson, Dalton.

Police spokeswoman Lynn Hamlin said police believe Terry shot dead her husband and grandson before turning the gun on herself as officers arrived.

Mrs. Hamlin confirmed to The Independent that the deaths were being treated as suicides, and that Terry Janeway was considered the only suspect.

Hamlin added that investigators have not determined a motive. She said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The tragedy affected many residents in the small city of Muskogee, about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to city officials.

What did the family say?

Chandra’s sister, Marian “MJ” Janeway, took to Facebook to post a heartbreaking message on Tuesday.

“Please tell me this isn’t really happening please anyone,” she wrote.

It is unclear if Marian was Dalton’s mother. It appears that the child has been living with his grandparents for several years.

Johnson and his wife, Chandra, have not yet commented on the tragedy.

Sending love and prayers

Jack Janeway was a respected therapist who ran the Janeway Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic in Muskogee.

On social media, friends, family, and patients have praised Jack as a devoted family man, Christian, and healer.

Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman told FOX23 that he had known Jack since he first moved to the city, was a longtime patient and a family friend.

“It was heartbreaking to learn that an old family that made so many contributions to our community was involved in this type of incident,” said the mayor.

“It was even more chilling when it was discovered that there was a child involved.”

Johnson’s teammate and former Formula 1 champion Jenson Button chirpSending love and prayers to my teammates Jimmy and Chandra and the entire Johnson family at this difficult time.

NASCAR issued a statement on Tuesday saying, “We are saddened by the tragic death 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 the entire Johnson & Janway families.”

Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club said in a statement that the No. 84 Johnson Carvana Chevrolet has been pulled from this week’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago.

She said the family asked for privacy.

Skydiving accident

In 2014, Chandra’s younger brother Jordan Janeway was killed while free diving when he collided with another skydiver in mid-air, passed out and was unable to open his parachute.

Jordan Janeway, 27, has completed more than 1,000 jumps and served two years in a US Navy SEAL, according to an obituary.

“Jordan was an amazing son, brother, uncle and friend and he will be sorely missed,” the couple said in a statement to NBC San Diego at the time.

“Please keep the Janeway family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Who is Jimmy Johnson?

The 47-year-old California-born driver began racing motorcycles at the age of four, before graduating to off-road and stock cars, eventually making his NASCAR Winston Cup debut in 2002.

He won the first of five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2006, and went on to win again in 2013 and 2016. Johnson is tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Series wins ever.

Johnson has also won the prestigious Daytona 500 twice, and is considered one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time.

After a disappointing 2020 season, Johnson has been away from racing for several years.

He returned to racing part-time for the Legacy Motor Club in 2023, buying a stake in Petty GMS Motorsport.

In 2001, Blaise Alexander, Johnson’s best friend, died in an accident at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Johnson married actress and model Chandra Johnson née Janeway in 2004.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Business Communication, Chandra Johnson moved to New York City to pursue a modeling career and signed with the Wilhelmina Models agency. Featured in the 2007 movie Devil’s ValleyAccording to IMDB.

Chandra is often seen supporting Johnson’s track at NASCAR races.

The couple has two daughters, Genevieve, 12, and Lydia, 9, and they live in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The couple’s home contains an extensive art collection that includes works by Cy Tombly and Joan Mitchell, according to the ArtSuite.com blog.

In 2015, Chandra opened Southern Comfort (SOCO) Gallery at Easter where she helps support contemporary artists.

The couple started the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006, a nonprofit organization that has raised $13 million to help children in need achieve their dreams.

In their latest social media activity, the couple attended England’s famous Royal Ascot horse racing event last weekend.