Hollywood actor James Handy was stabbed to death just outside his Tarzana residence. Investigators have now pieced together what really happened before his final moments. New details have been shared in an interview with Wendy Gledhill, Handy’s long-term girlfriend, about what happened before the attack.
Handy, 81, died after being stabbed, allegedly by Michael Gledhill
- The primary suspect in the attack has been named as Michael Gledhill
- Michael is Wendy’s 44-year-old son and has been remanded for murder with bail set at $2 million.
- James Handy, the deceased, is recognized for his appearances in Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick.
- Handy died from a single stab wound to the chest.
- Wendy says she heard the two arguing in the backyard in the morning, and moments later, police found James wounded and unconscious.
- Michael was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2025.
What Happened the Morning of James Handy’s Death?
Wendy Gledhill says the morning began just like any other day at the residence she shared with Handy. At 9 in the morning, Handy went to pick up the newspaper from the front yard. Unlike other days, he did not brew his coffee first. Wendy remained in bed, and nothing seemed unusual.
Moments later, she figured her son was out there because she heard Handy and Michael arguing. She says she could not clearly make out what they were arguing about. She did not understand what was going on, and “the first time I heard something was happening was when the police showed up.”
The LAPD showed up. It appears that someone had made a 911 call from the property. The dispatch records show that the caller said: “I am the son of man; I just killed the man of sin.”
The Arrest and Discovery of Handy’s Death
The responding officers found Handy lying unconscious in the front yard. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department took him to a local hospital. There, he was pronounced dead. The police told Wendy about the call they had received. They said that they had found Handy wrapped in a blanket outside. Security personnel searched for active threats on the property. Moments later, they arrested Michael after he identified himself as the stabber.
Michael was jailed at Van Nuys Jail and booked on suspicion of murder. The LAPD has labelled it a domestic dispute case with no public safety threat.
A History of Disagreements
Wendy confirms that Handy and her son never saw eye to eye. Even so, the police have not yet found or disclosed the real motive for the attack. But medical records reveal that Michael may not be fit to stand trial. He was diagnosed with Schizophrenia just a little under a year ago. Wendy confirms that in the last week leading up to the attack, Michael had been off his medication. However, she adds that she doesn’t really know whether he was medically compliant the morning of the attack.
What Happens Now?
Handy’s passing means that his final film project has been scrapped. The actor was slated to appear in one last movie before retirement. Meanwhile, Wendy is still at the Tarzana residence helping police with the investigation. She had been in a relationship with the deceased for 31 years.
