James Handy, a seasoned actor known for his roles in blockbuster films like “Jumanji” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” was tragically killed in a stabbing incident outside his home.

The 81-year-old Hollywood veteran fell victim to a deadly attack allegedly carried out by Michael Gledhill, the 44-year-old son of Handy’s girlfriend, who was quickly taken into custody at the scene.

The harrowing sequence of events unfolded when Los Angeles authorities received an alarming call from the suspect at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

During the call, the individual chillingly declared, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” prompting immediate police response.

Upon arrival at Handy’s residence on Erwin Street in Tarzana, officers discovered the actor lying unresponsive in the front yard, suffering from a severe stab wound to the chest.

Handy was then rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

‘With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,’ Handy’s talent agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, said in a statement.

His death was an eerie reminder of the brutal stabbing of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner by their disturbed son Nick just miles away in Hollywood. 

Actor James Handy was found brutally murdered in his front yard on Wednesday

Officers raced to Handy’s home on Erwin Street in Tarzana, where they found the 81-year-old unconscious in the front yard and suffering from at least one stab wound to his chest

Surveillance footage from the scene caught a man casually walking past the suburban home

Following the brutal stabbing on Wednesday morning, security footage obtained by Fox 11 Los Angeles showed the suspect casually walking away from the home, where bloody clothes were seen on the ground.

Authorities say Gledhill later flagged down the responding officers, and told them he is the one they were looking for as law enforcement blocked nearby streets.

Investigators say Gledhill lived at the home with his mother.

A motive for the attack remains unclear, but neighbors have claimed Gledhill and Handy were arguing overnight.

One neighbor also said told Fox 11 he believed Gledhill had been suffering from delusions. 

The suspect is now being held on a $2 million bond.

Handy was born in New York City and made his first on-screen appearance in 1977’s Taps in ABC’s Ryan’s Hope that same year. 

Evidence markers were erected outside Handy’s home following his murder on Wednesday

The actor most recently appeared alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick

Handy’s other film credits include an appearance in Logan as the doctor who treated Hugh Jackman’s titular character

Handy is pictured as the exterminator in the film Jumanji

He most recently appeared in Top Gun: Maverick as the bartender, Jimmy.

Handy’s other film credits include an appearance in Logan as the doctor who treated Hugh Jackman’s titular character, and in the 1995 hit Jumanji, Handy played the exterminator.

The actor also had recurring roles on shows like NYPD Blue, on which he played Captain Haverhill, on Alias, on which he played Arthur Devlin, and on Profile, on which he played Lou Handleman.  

Handy made appearances on numerous other television shows as well including The West Wing, Castle and The X-Files.

His career stretches back to the 1970s and includes more than 100 acting credits.

Following the news of his death, Scott Alan Smith, professor of Performing Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design, shared how he directed Handy at the Road Theater Company of the Lyons in 2018.

‘Jim was not only a truly great actor, he was also a prince of a man – kind and generous and giving to his cast and audience,’ Smith recounted on Facebook.

Another woman, Nancy Lipner, recounted how Handy had been cast as her father in a play when they were both non-union actors in New York City.

‘He was only two or three years older than I, but somehow he brought it off, in large part because he was a terrific character actor and even though, as he told me, not particularly at home in anything resembling classic theatre,’ she wrote.

Handy is pictured in an episode of ABC’s hit show Castle, one of his many on-screen credits over his five-decade career

Handy appeared in the X-Files alongside David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson

 ‘I was so glad for how his career took off after The Verdict,’ she continued, noting that she had not spoken to Handy in years but would check his IMDB page from time to time to see how he was doing.

‘This is just awful,’ Lipner wrote. 

Fans also took to social media to remember Handy for the many roles he played over the years.

‘James Handy was a great ’90s character actor – always delivered solid, memorable supporting work,’ one X user posted, noting that he was ‘reliable every time.’

Other X users called him a ‘fine character actor’ and ‘the ultimate “that guy” actor, with one fan writing that the first time he saw Handy ‘was in a small but effective role in the movie The Verdict.’

‘Rest in peace, James Handy – you were in everything,’ another netizen posted. 

Social media users also lamented the tragedy of Handy’s death, with one X user writing: ‘Wow, Rob Reiner, now James Handy. Just crazy.’

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Reiner, were found dead inside their home in December 

In February their son Nick, 32, pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents

Renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were found dead with their throats slit inside their $13.5 million home in upscale Brentwood, California in December.

Their youngest son, Nick, 32, was later arrested in connection with their deaths.

He had been seen having a loud argument with his father at a holiday party thrown by TV’s Conan O’Brien just hours before his parents’ bodies were found.

It was their daughter, Romy, who made the grisly discovery inside the sprawling six-bedroom estate.

But Nick, who has a history of mental health issues, has pleaded not guilty to six felony charges, two of first degree murder, two of special circumstances involving multiple murder and two counts of special circumstances using a deadly weapon, a knife. 

He remains behind bars prior to his next court appearance in September. 

An Arkansas man, who secured the GOP nomination for sheriff while awaiting a trial for allegedly killing his daughter’s alleged assailant, has had his murder charge dropped by a judge.

On Thursday, Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. decided to dismiss the case against Aaron Spencer. This decision came just weeks ahead of the anticipated start of his trial for second-degree murder. The dismissal was due to the loss of a crucial dash camera memory card by law enforcement, which might have recorded the incident.

Earlier in March, Spencer emerged victorious in the GOP primary, defeating a sheriff who had held the position for three terms and whose office was responsible for Spencer’s arrest in Lonoke County, home to approximately 76,000 people.

Judge Wilson emphasized that the law enforcement’s actions were so inappropriate that they justified dismissing the case. “The conduct by law enforcement was so egregious that dismissal of this case is warranted,” he stated.

Spencer’s attorneys did not deny that he shot and killed Michael Fosler, 67, in 2024. At the time, Fosler was out on bond after being charged with dozens of sexual offenses against Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter. 

Court documents show that on the night of the shooting, Spencer had woken up to find his daughter missing, and later found the girl in the passenger seat of a vehicle Fosler was driving. Spencer forced Fosler’s truck off the road and, after an altercation, called 911 to report he had shot the man.

Prosecutors said Spencer planned the killing and that he could have called police while pursuing Fosler. But Spencer pleaded not guilty and maintained he acted to protect his child from a predator.

Spencer said in a statement Thursday that the support from the community “carried our family.”  

“Neighbors here in Lonoke County, people from every part of Arkansas, and folks I’ve never met from around the world reached out, prayed for us, and refused to stay quiet,” Spencer said. “When I couldn’t speak for myself, you spoke for me. I’ll never be able to thank you the way you deserve, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to live up to it.” 

Spencer’s attorney, Erin Cassinelli, said she is thankful for the court’s decision.

“No member of this family should ever again be forced to walk into a courtroom and relive this horror,” she said in a statement. “This father should have never been charged for protecting his child.”

Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham did not immediately return messages Thursday seeking comment on the decision.

Spencer’s attorneys filed the motion seeking to have the case dismissed, contending that video and audio of the dash camera from Fosler’s truck may have contained evidence that would have cleared Spencer of any wrongdoing. According to court records, a detective with the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office removed the dash camera from the truck when responding to the scene of the shooting.

But the camera’s internal settings were not preserved, and the battery of the camera was allowed to drain, and as a result, the camera went back to its default settings. When the camera was sent to the attorney general’s office for a forensic exam, the memory card that was in it when it was collected from the truck was missing. The detective who collected the camera later admitted that it was not logged into evidence right away, but was instead stored in his personal office rather than the evidence room, according to court records.

Wilson replaced the original judge handling the murder case in January after the Arkansas Supreme Court removed Judge Barbara Elmore from the case, finding she had issued an overly broad gag order that violated Spencer’s First Amendment rights.

A tragic scene unfolded in Florida where a father carried out terrible deeds, fatally stabbing his ex-wife, a real estate agent, and their two young daughters before taking his own life.

Ryan Charles Whiten, aged 42, was identified as the perpetrator who killed his estranged ex-wife, Melanie Hyer, along with their children, Savannah, 11, and Sienna, 8. The bodies were discovered inside Hyer’s residence within a gated community in Doral, Florida, as confirmed by detectives from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

“Investigations have determined that Mr. Whiten was responsible for these horrific acts before ending his own life,” officials stated.

The authorities have yet to disclose how long the victims had been deceased in the home or any potential reasons behind the tragic incident, as the investigation remains active.

The grim discovery came to light when police conducted a welfare check at the home on Tuesday night, finding all four family members dead from stab wounds.

Hyer and Whiten had separated years earlier and were co-parenting their daughters at the time of their deaths.

Both had been married to other people since they split. Hyer had only finalized her divorce in March, court records obtained by NBC6 show.

Whiten’s ex-wife described the relationship between Whiten and Hyer as “toxic” for years due to a bitter, drawn-out battle over their daughters despite their co-parenting efforts.

Whiten’s ex-wife — who divorced him in 2024 and asked not to be identified — told 7 News Miami that her ex-husband feared Hyer would one day take his daughters away from him, but was “shocked” to hear about the murders.

“He was always so sweet with his girls and loved them deeply. I don’t know what happened,” his ex-wife said.

Hyer, 46, originally from Manhasset, NY, worked as a probate real estate agent in South Florida, specializing in luxury waterfront and commercial properties, and appeared as an industry expert on multiple news outlets throughout her career, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Doral Mayor Christi Fraga remembered Melanie Hyer as “a light of sunshine” who was “always eager to help at school and to be involved as a mom.”

“When I got the news, it definitely hit close to home,” Fraga wrote in a post on Instagram.

Both girls were students at Downtown Doral Elementary and were members of the Doral Field Hockey team.

“They were an important part of our community and will be remembered for their kindness, friendship, and the positive impact they had on everyone around them,” the field hockey team posted on Instagram Wednesday. “We will miss them dearly, may they rest in peace.”

A Catholic mass in remembrance of Hyer and her two daughters is being held Friday night, with organizers asking the public to pray for “comfort and strength for their family and loved ones.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling.

If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

An overloaded boat carrying 240 migrants was intercepted near the Turks and Caicos Islands, as officials rushed to avert a maritime catastrophe.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported a joint effort on Sunday with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, alongside the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), to halt a vessel crowded with migrants who identified as Haitians.

According to a Coast Guard press release, authorities were alerted to an “illegal migrant voyage” about 15 miles south of the Turks and Caicos islands.

Footage shared by the Coast Guard displays crews working in tandem with local officials to secure and tow the overcrowded boat safely.

An overloaded migrant vessel carrying 240 people was seen near the Turks and Caicos Islands over the weekend before authorities intervened. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott via X)

The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force later took custody of the vessel and its passengers, the Coast Guard said.

More than 140 personnel participated in the operation, according to the agency.

“The successful interdiction and safe removal of these individuals from a perilous situation was made possible by the close collaboration and swift response of the Coast Guard, CBP AMO personnel, and authorities from the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Lt. Chelsea Garcia, deputy director of Coast Guard Operations Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, said in a statement.

A Coast Guard aircrew helped guide responding vessels to an overcrowded migrant boat carrying hundreds of people, officials said. (U.S. Coast Guard)

“We strongly advise anyone considering participating in an unlawful maritime migration attempt to reconsider,” Garcia continued. “These journeys are extremely hazardous, frequently involving severely overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels that are often taking on water and lack basic life-saving equipment.”

Garcia encouraged would-be migrants to pursue “safe, legal, and orderly avenues” rather than “risking their lives at sea.”

The Department of Homeland Security also reacted to footage of the operation on social media.

Authorities said the vessel was taking on water and at risk of sinking when responders arrived. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott via X)

“OUR BORDERS ARE CLOSED,” the agency wrote on X. “Whether by land or sea — if you try to enter our nation illegally, we will hunt you down and find you.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott shared images from the interdiction and praised the cooperation between the Coast Guard and its international partners.

“The overcrowded vessel was taking on water and in danger of sinking,” Scott wrote on X. 

“Our personnel helped prevent what could have been a catastrophic loss of life while stopping yet another illegal migration attempt,” he continued. “The message remains clear: illegal maritime migration is dangerous, it is not worth the risk, and you will not gain entry into the US.”

Officials said the vessel was carrying 240 people who claimed Haitian nationality. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The operation comes months after the Coast Guard and CBP intercepted multiple suspected smuggling vessels off the California coast, resulting in the apprehension of 60 people aboard three boats.

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Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the Gulf of America, where a substantial cluster of storms has emerged, raising concerns.

Currently positioned near Florida, this storm system is anticipated to shift northwest. Experts warn it could unleash heavy rains and strong winds across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend.

In a statement, AccuWeather meteorologists highlighted the risk of localized urban flooding, particularly in New Orleans, and noted the potential for a few waterspouts to form and approach area beaches.

Nicknamed the “Gulf blob” by weather enthusiasts, this expansive weather formation is not expected to evolve into a tropical storm. Instead, it is characterized by a disorganized cluster of thunderstorms and tropical moisture spread over the Gulf.

Despite its striking appearance on satellite images, with one observer calling it an “ominous blob,” meteorologists do not believe the system will intensify into a tropical storm.

Meteorologist Dylan Federico with Florida’s WSVN 7 News said on X: ‘The National Hurricane Center doesn’t expect tropical development due to strong wind shear.’

The primary concern is heavy rainfall, with forecasters warning that repeated rounds of thunderstorms could produce intense downpours capable of triggering localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and poorly drained areas.

Some communities could see several inches of rain over a short period, along with gusty winds and rough coastal conditions as the system tracks northwestward through the weekend.

The massive blob of storms is set to head northwest and bring intense rain and wind to the US Coast

FOX Weather meteorologists warned that cities such as New Orleans, Biloxi and Gulfport will be among those with the highest chance of seeing the most rain.

Although forecasters do not expect the system to develop into a tropical storm, it is still expected to bring coastal flooding, dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents to parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. 

The weather pattern is also expected to whip up strong winds across the Gulf Coast beginning Thursday.

Gusts of up to 40mph could churn the surf, create dangerous rip currents and force water onto shorelines, raising the threat of minor flooding in coastal communities during high tide.

The Southeast is already waterlogged after enduring multiple rounds of drenching storms in recent weeks, raising concerns that even more rain could lead to rapid flooding.

Officials have issued coastal food advisories from Louisiana to Mississippi, warning that rising water levels could inundate parks, parking lots and other low-lying areas along the coast.

The blob of storms comes just as the Atlantic hurricane season has begun, which runs through November 30.

The first named Atlantic Tropical Cyclone on the list is Arthur, followed by Bertha, Cristobal and Dolly. 

AccuWeather released its 2026 hurricane outlook in March, urging millions of Americans, particularly in Virginia, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, to start preparing for potentially devastating weather, as even a small number of hurricanes could be deadly and cause billions of dollars in damage.

AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said: ‘There is no reason to let your guard down this year. It only takes one storm to cause major damage, disruption and heartache.

‘Review your insurance coverage, safety plans, and local evacuation routes now. Make sure your emergency supplies are stocked up.’

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also released its official outlook last month, showing three to six hurricanes with wind speeds above 74mph and one to three major hurricanes with winds exceeding 111mph.

NOAA warned that although this year’s Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be below normal, past seasons with lower-than-average activity have still produced devastating Category 5 storms that made landfall.

Forecasters said several competing weather patterns are expected to shape this year’s season.

While El Nino is forecast to strengthen during the coming months, a climate pattern that typically suppresses hurricane activity, unusually warm Atlantic waters and weaker-than-average trade winds could still help fuel storm development.

NOAA’s National Weather Service director Ken Graham said: ‘Although El Nino’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold.

‘That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season. Preparing now for hurricane season, and not waiting for a storm to threaten, is essential for staying ahead of any storm.’