Michael Gledhill, the son of James Handy’s girlfriend Wendy Gledhill, has been charged over the actor’s death.
According to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office on Friday, June 4, Gledhill, 44, was charged after the Top Gun: Maverick actor was fatally stabbed outside a Tarzana home earlier this week.
“This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman via the press release. “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.”
Los Angeles Police confirmed on Thursday, June 4, that they are investigating a stabbing that resulted in the death of Handy.
According to police, the suspect called 911 and stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” Upon their arrival, officers discovered Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead.
“The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, a resident of Tarzana,” officials stated in a press release. “He was arrested and transported to Van Nuys Jail where he was booked for one count of murder.”
Police said that the suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for. He was arrested and held on $2 million bail. Information about Gledhill’s legal representation was not immediately available.
“The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” officials said. “Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”
On Friday, Wendy broke her silence on the incident.
“I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time,” Wendy, 76, told The California Post. “I loved James and my son.”
“I can’t believe my son did it. I’m just trying to … ” she continued before stepping inside her Tarzana, California, home.
Speaking to TMZ, Wendy claimed her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia but had stopped taking his medication amid his mental health struggles.
Handy, who had 150 acting credits to his name, was known for his roles in Jumanji, NYPD Blue, Beverly Hills, 90210, Law & Order; Profiler, The Young and the Restless, 9-1-1 and more.
“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 spokesperson told Us in a statement on Thursday.
