Rick Hendrick issues statement on Jimmie Johnson's family tragedy

The NASCAR world continues to offer their support for Jimmie Johnson after an unthinkable tragedy rocked his family on Monday night. Rick Hendrick, an icon owner of the sport, said his team’s full resources are behind Johnson.

Earlier Tuesday, news broke about a murder-suicide that led to the death of Johnson’s in-laws and nephew. Chandra Johnson, Jimmie’s wife, lost her mother, father and nephew who all lived in Muskogee, Okla.

“Our family and our entire team are all grieving with Chani, Jimmie and their loved ones,” Hendrick said in a statement to the media. “This is truly an unthinkable tragedy, and our hearts are broken for them. I’ve been in touch with Jimmie and offered our love, support and the full resources of our organization in whatever capacity they need.”

Statement from Rick Hendrick on the Johnson/Janway family tragedy: pic.twitter.com/8gqZh5qkpX

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 27, 2023

Police believe Jimmie Johnson’s mother-in-law killed her husband, grandson, then shot herself

TMZ Sports reported that Muskogee police are investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide. Police found the bodies of Jimmie Johnson’s in-laws, Jack and Terry Janway. And they also discovered the body of 11-year-old Dalton Janway, at the couple’s home Monday night. An unidentified woman, now believed to be Terry Janway, called the police at about 9 p.m. The woman said there was a disturbance in the house and someone had a gun.

Police say they first discovered one body in the hallway after arriving at the home. Then they heard a gunshot coming from another area of the house. The police believe Terry Janway, who was 68, shot her husband and grandson, then killed herself. Jack Janway, 69, was a chiropractor and owned a clinic in town.

Jimmie and Chandra Johnson married in 2004. They are parents to two young daughters. The Johnson and Janway family also dealt with a tragedy nine years ago when Chandra’s brother died in a sky-diving accident.

Johnson was supposed to race this weekend at the Chicago Street Race. But he withdrew from the event.

Like Hendrick, NASCAR released a statement offering Jimmie Johnson and his wife the sport’s total support.

“We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family,” the statement said. “The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.”