Cause of Death Revealed for Veteran Actor James Handy After Fatal Stabbing

LAPD arrested his girlfriend’s son for the crime after Handy was found stabbed in the torso with signs of neck compression.

The scene at a home where authorities were investigating the fatal stabbing of actor James Handy in Los Angeles on June 3, 2026. KABC via AP

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office revealed new details about the cause of death of actor James Handy after he was stabbed last week outside of his California residence.

The 81-year-old’s death was ruled a homicide stemming from a stab wound to the torso as well as neck compression, according to medical examiner records reviewed by The Epoch Times.

On June 3, officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a 911 call in the Tarzana neighborhood, where the caller told dispatchers, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Upon arrival, authorities found the “Top Gun: Maverick” actor unconscious in his front yard suffering from fatal injuries. He was promptly transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, who resided at the home with his mother, Wendy Gledhill, Handy’s longtime partner.

Shortly after the incident, Michael Gledhill flagged down responding officers noting he was the person they were looking for. He was booked on one count of murder with bail set at $2 million.

In a press release, law enforcement officials describe the stabbing as an “isolated incident” and stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public. An exact motive remains unknown, as an investigation led by the Robbery–Homicide Division continues into the matter.

Speaking to TMZ, Wendy said her son suffered from schizophrenia and other mental health issues, but stopped taking his medication prior to the incident. She told the outlet he was diagnosed with the condition last year after becoming “increasingly paranoid.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that impacts how people think, feel, behave, or perceive reality. Symptoms may result in hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized behavior.

“This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home,” said District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman in a statement.

“The victim, James Handy, deserved to live out his later years enjoying what he had worked so hard for and enjoying it with those he loved and cared about.”

Born in 1945 in New York City, Handy built a decades-long career in Hollywood across film and television. With more than 150 on-screen productions, he appeared in a number of blockbusters, including “Arachnophobia,” “Jumanji,” and “The Rocketeer,” among others.

Handy’s other credits include appearances on popular television shows such as “NYPD Blue,” “The X-Files,” “Criminal Minds,” “ER,” “CSI: NY,” and “The West Wing.”