James Handy’s cause of death has uncovered new details about his vicious murder, allegedly, at the hands of his longtime girlfriend’s son.
According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s report obtained by TMZ, the “Top Gun: Maverick” actor’s death was a result of a stab wound to the torso, with “neck compression” being an added factor.
Neck compressions are often caused by age-related wear and tear in the nerves of the neck when they’re squeezed or put under abnormal pressure, per the National Institutes of Health.
On June 3, Handy was attacked by 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, who stabbed the actor to death outside of their Tarzana, California home. He was 81.
The California Post reported that the “Jumanji” actor was found after authorities responded to a caller — Gledhill — who 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.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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