James Handy’s murder suspect is said to have schizophrenia and was not taking any medication before the stabbing.
The late actor’s girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, spoke to TMZ on Friday about her son, Michael Gledhill, who is accused of stabbing Handy outside his home two days earlier.
Wendy told the show that James was diagnosed with a mental illness in July 2025 and was prescribed medication.
But Wendy said she learned that James had stopped taking his medication a week before the Tarzana, Calif., murders.
As for Michael and Handy’s dynamic, she claimed they didn’t “constantly see eye to eye” and it was “cordial”.
She added: “[Handy’s family]know I loved him very much. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened.”
Wendy said she was “still in a state of shock” and “cannot understand” the tragedy.
She also told the California Post, “I’m just trying to get through every minute of the day.”
Wendy added: “I love James and (her) son” and said she “can’t believe” that Michael allegedly killed Handy.
An 81-year-old man was found dead in his front yard after police received a chilling 911 call about “unknown trouble.”
Officials said the caller told the news agency, “I am a son of man and I have just killed a man who has committed a crime.”
As police monitored the scene, Michael turned himself in and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He is being held at the Van Nuys Jail on $2 million bail.
Although Handy has largely kept his personal life away from the spotlight, he has been an actor since 1997.
In addition to his last role as bartender Jimmy in Top Gun: Maverick, he is best known for his performances in Jumanji and numerous television projects over the years.
In 2017, Handy made his last public appearance.
