James Handy, best known for roles in films including Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, was fatally stabbed on Wednesday, June 3, at his girlfriend Wendy Gledhill’s home in Tarzana, California. Los Angeles County prosecutors have now charged Wendy’s son, Michael Gledhill, with one count of murder in connection with Handy’s death. Prosecutors said Handy was stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of the residence, describing the killing as a violent act that ended the life of a man who deserved to enjoy his later years with loved ones.
According to police, Handy was found unconscious and bleeding after being repeatedly stabbed in the chest. Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities said Michael Gledhill is expected to be arraigned at Van Nuys Courthouse, and he is being held at Van Nuys Jail with bail set at $2 million. If convicted, he could face up to 26 years to life in prison.
Investigators said Gledhill made alarming statements during a 911 call after the attack, reportedly saying, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” Police also said he flagged down officers when they arrived and confessed to stabbing Handy. Before being taken into custody, he was seen walking through the neighborhood away from the home where the stabbing occurred.
Handy’s former girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, said she was in shock over the killing and said she could not believe her son allegedly stabbed the actor. Speaking outside her home in Tarzana, she said she was trying to get through the situation “one day at a time.” She said she loved both her son and Handy, and described Handy as generally cordial toward Michael, even though the two did not always see eye to eye.
Wendy also told TMZ that Michael had been struggling with serious mental health issues and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025. She said he had been prescribed medication after becoming increasingly paranoid, but had stopped taking it about a week before the fatal stabbing. Those claims have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case has drawn attention because of the violent nature of the killing and the family connection between the suspect and the victim. Prosecutors say Handy’s death was not only a tragic homicide but also the loss of a man who had earned the right to spend his later years in peace. The investigation remains ongoing as Michael Gledhill faces a murder charge and awaits arraignment.
