James Handy’s cause of death has revealed new details about his brutal murder, allegedly at the hands of his longtime girlfriend’s son.
According to a Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office report obtained by TMZ, the cause of death for the “Top Gun: Maverick” actor was a stab wound to the torso, along with “neck compression.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, neck compression is often caused by age-related wear and abnormal compression of nerves in the neck.
On June 3, Handy was attacked and stabbed to death by 44-year-old Michael Gledhill outside his home in Tarzana, California. He was 81 years old.
The California Post reported that the “Jumanji” actor was found after authorities responded to a caller, Gledhill, who said, “I am a son of man and I just killed a man who committed a crime.”
Handy suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Shortly afterward, Michael, the son of Handy’s partner of 30 years, Wendy Gledhill, waved the officers off and told them he was the one they were looking for, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release.
He was eventually arrested and charged with one count of murder. If convicted, he could face up to 26 years in prison.
Wendy told the California Post of her immense sadness.
“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 was diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025 and was said to have been off his medication up until the time of the stabbing.
As for Michael and Handy’s relationship, she claimed they were “honest” but didn’t “always see eye to eye.”
She added: “[Handy’s family]know I loved him very much. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened.”
Days later, she gave insight into Handy’s final moments, telling the Daily Mail that Handy had woken up at 9 a.m. to “go get the newspaper.”
Wendy explained that although “he didn’t make coffee like he normally does,” she didn’t think anything of it because “he was coming to get the newspaper and I heard the door open.”
Wendy, who was in bed and didn’t hear anything during the terrifying attack, told the outlet: “My understanding is that my son was already outside and they started arguing in the front garden.”
Thirty minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department knocked on her door, and Wendy explained: “The first time I heard that something was going on was when the police came.
“Someone called 911 and heard there was a person wrapped in a blanket outside the house.”
Wendy, who is “devastated” and has not left the house since the murder, reiterated that she believed her son was not on his medication at the time of the attack.
“I was with James for 31 years and of course I loved him dearly,” she said. “This is very difficult.”
Although Handy primarily kept his personal life away from the spotlight, he had been active as an actor since 1977.
His last public appearance was in 2017.
If you or a loved one is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
