NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson's in-laws and nephew found dead after possible murder-suicide

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By VT

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The parents-in-law and nephew of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson have tragically been found dead in what police are investigating as a murder-suicide.

Terry Janway, 68, and her husband Jack Janway, 69, the parents of Johnson's wife Chandra Janway Johnson were discovered by authorities at their home along with their 11-year-old grandson Dalton Janway.

CNN reports that authorities were called to a house in Muskogee, Oklahoma after receiving a 911 call, believed to be from Terry Janway, who informed the police that there was "someone" with a gun in the house, before abruptly hanging up.

When police arrived on the scene they discovered a body in the hallway and heard another gunshot from inside the house. After searching the premises they found a further two bodies. All three had died from gunshot wounds.

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Jimmie Johnson attends the 51st annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit: Taylor Hill / Getty

A release from the Muskogee police department read, "When officers arrived on scene they saw a subject laying in the hallway inside the front door. Shortly after arriving officers heard another gunshot from further inside the house.

"Officers conducted a rescue of the subject laying inside the hallway and determined the subject was deceased. Once enough officers arrived on scene, a search of the residence was conducted and two more subjects were found deceased inside the residence."

The officers on the scene also made further announcements for any person in the home to "come outside".

Upon hearing the breaking news, NASCAR issued a statement on Tuesday saying, "We are saddened by the tragic deaths 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."

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Jimmie Johnson poses for a picture during a visit to The Empire State Building on November 22, 2016 in New York City. Credit: Bennett Raglin / Getty

Legacy Motor Club, who Johnson drives for, also released a statement, confirming that Johnson would be withdrawing from this weekend's NASCAR Street Cup series event in Chicago.

"The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made."

Speaking to CNN affiliate KOKI, Mayor Marlon Coleman said, "It was traumatizing to find out that a longstanding family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident. It was even more bone-chilling when we found out there were children involved."

Featured Image Credit: Donna Ward / Getty