Disturbing new details have emerged about the death of prolific actor James Handy, as a murder charge has been filed against his girlfriend's son, Michael Gledhill. Handy, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, was fatally stabbed this week.
Charges Filed
Michael Gledhill has been charged with one count of murder in connection with the stabbing death of James Handy. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman released a statement on Friday, saying, "This is not how anyone's life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home." He added, "The victim, James Handy, deserved to live out his later years enjoying what he had worked so hard for and enjoying it with those he loved and cared about. Like all murder victims, his life mattered and the person who inexplicably and violently took it must be held accountable for his actions." Gledhill is expected to be arraigned today.
Details of the Incident
According to a police report, Handy was found unconscious and bleeding after being repeatedly stabbed in the chest at his girlfriend's home in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday morning. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In 911 call audio, Gledhill reportedly told dispatch, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin." When authorities arrived, Gledhill allegedly flagged down officers and confessed to the stabbing. Home security footage shows him walking away from the home before being taken into custody.
Family Reaction
Handy's former girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, spoke with The California Post on Friday, expressing disbelief that her son allegedly murdered Handy. "I'm just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time," said the 76-year-old Wendy outside her Tarzana home. She added that she "loved James and my son" and cannot believe Michael allegedly committed the murder.
Mental Health Issues
In an interview with TMZ, Wendy revealed that Michael had been struggling with serious mental health issues. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025 and was prescribed medication, but he stopped taking it a week before Handy's death. She described Michael as increasingly paranoid and noted that while he and Handy "didn't always see eye to eye," their relationship was "generally cordial."
Michael Gledhill is currently being held at the Van Nuys Jail with bail set at $2 million. If convicted, he faces up to 26 years to life in state prison. This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.
