New insights have emerged surrounding the tragic death of James Handy, reportedly murdered by the son of his longtime girlfriend.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s report, accessed by TMZ, reveals that the “Top Gun: Maverick” actor died from a stab wound to the torso, with “neck compression” cited as a contributing factor.
The National Institutes of Health explains that neck compressions can result from age-related deterioration, causing nerves in the neck to be compressed or subjected to undue stress.
The incident occurred on June 3, when 44-year-old Michael Gledhill allegedly attacked and fatally stabbed Handy outside their home in Tarzana, California. Handy was 81 years old at the time of his death.
According to the California Post, authorities discovered the “Jumanji” actor after responding to a call from Gledhill, who reportedly stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Suffering from multiple stab wounds to the chest, Handy was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
Shortly after, Michael — the live-in son of Handy’s partner of 30 years, Wendy Gledhill — allegedly waved down officers and told them he was the one they were looking for, according to a news release from the LAPD.
He was ultimately arrested and charged with one count of murder. If convicted, he faces up to 26 years in prison.
Speaking to The California Post, Wendy expressed her immense grief, saying, “I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time.
“I loved James and my son. I still can’t believe it….I can’t believe my son did it,” the 76-year-old added before stepping inside.
However, she later confessed to TMZ that her son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025 and was allegedly off his medication before the fatal stabbing.
As for Michael and Handy’s dynamic, she claimed the two were “cordial” — though they did not “always see eye-to-eye.”
She added, “[Handy’s family members] know I loved him so much. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened.”
A few days later, she gave an insight into Handy’s final moments, telling the Daily Mail that the actor had woken up at 9 a.m. to “get the newspaper.”
Though “he didn’t make the coffee like he usually does,” Wendy explained that she didn’t think anything of it because she “heard the door open because he was getting the paper.”
Wendy — who remained in bed and didn’t hear anything during the horrifying attack — further told the outlet, “I can only assume my son was already out there and they started to argue, from my understanding, on the front yard.”
Thirty minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department knocked on their front door, with Wendy explaining, “The first time I heard something was happening was when the police showed up.
“They said someone had called 911 and they told me someone was wrapped in a blanket outside the house.”
Wendy — who is “beyond devastated” and hasn’t left the house since the murder — also restated that she believed her son was off his meds at the time of the attack.
“I was with James for 31 years and of course I loved him dearly,” she said. “This is so difficult.”
Handy, who primarily kept his personal life out of the spotlight, had been acting since 1977.
He made his final public appearance in 2017.