James Handy’s girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, is speaking out after her son, Michael Gledhill, allegedly stabbed the actor to death.
“I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time,” Wendy, 76, told The California Post on Friday, June 5. “I loved James and my son.”
“I can’t believe my son did it. I’m just trying to … ” she continued before stepping inside her Tarzana, California, home.
Speaking to TMZ, Wendy claimed her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia but had stopped taking his medication amid his mental health struggles.
Los Angeles Police confirmed on Thursday, June 4, that they are investigating a stabbing that resulted in the death of Handy.
According to police, the 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” Upon their arrival, officers discovered Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead.
“The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, a resident of Tarzana,” officials stated in a press release. “He was arrested and transported to Van Nuys Jail where he was booked for one count of murder.”
Information about Gledhill’s legal representation was not immediately available. As of press time, he was being held on $2 million bail.
The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for, police said.
“The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” officials said. “Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”
During his acting career, which began with a performance in 1977’s Taps, Handy played a bartender in the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick. The New York native also portrayed an exterminator in the 1995 classic Jumanji.
Also among his 150 acting credits are roles in TV shows such as NYPD Blue, Beverly Hills, 90210, Law & Order; Profiler, The Young and the Restless and 9-1-1.
“With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,” his spokesperson told Us in a statement.
His talent agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, added in a statement to The New York Times, “I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy.”
Anyone with additional information about the incident is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Section, Dets. Simonyan or Lopez, at (818) 374-9550.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
