On Monday, June 26, 2023, NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson’s in-laws died in an apparent murder-suicide. The investigation is still ongoing for this tragic incident. Jack and Terry Janway, Chandra Janway’s parents, were found dead in their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Their grandson, 11-year-old Dalton Janway, was also found dead.
This tragedy is enough to shake any family to its core but it is not the first time the Janways have been stricken with unthinkable grief. In 2014, Jack and Terry's son, Jordan Janway, died in a skydiving accident in San Diego, California, at the age of 27. It seems unfair to have one family suffer so much sadness.
Jimmie has withdrawn from racing this weekend in order to grieve and support his family. His team made a statement about this on his behalf. “Legacy Motor Club has elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago,” it explained. “The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made.”
NASCAR also offered its support to Jimmie and his family during this difficult time. “We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family,” the organization began. “The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.”
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The accident that killed Jordan Janway was not his first time skydiving. He was a veteran jumper with experience in more than 1,000 jumps. On the day of his accident, he was knocked unconscious mid-jump.
This normally would not be an issue as there was a failsafe chip that would do it automatically. The chip was not active during Jordan’s jump as it was undergoing maintenance. Jordan chose to jump without it and because of his experience was allowed to do so.
Jimmie spoke fondly of his brother-in-law to the Oklahoman. “He was a free spirit,” he stated. “He was a very adventurous guy — base-jumping and parachuting and wearing the squirrel suits, like you see the guys flying along the cliff sides, that’s what he did. He’s in a lot of those videos shooting that footage.”
“A tragic death, for sure,” Jimmie went on to say. “But he was doing something he loved. He was very passionate about it. He never met a stranger, very warm, caring young man and he’s definitely going to be missed.”
Jimmie and Chandra met through mutual friends in New York City. “Jimmie was so sweet. We ended up getting married two-and-a-half years later,” she stated to Blue Print. The couple married in 2004 and share two daughters.
When news of her parents' death broke, Chandra’s sister Marianne Janway took to Facebook to express her grief. “Please tell me this isn’t really happening please god someone,” she begged. It is a horrible truth to grapple with.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
