James Handy's girlfriend breaks silence after son is arrested over actor's death
James Handy’s girlfriend has spoken out for the first time after her son was arrested for his killing.
The 81-year-old Top Gun: Maverick star Handy was fatally stabbed on Wednesday in the Tarzana neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department said officers were called out to the scene following a bizarre 911 call.
“The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,’” a statement from the LAPD said.
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“Upon arrival, officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest.
"The victim was transported to [a] local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased.”
Forty-four-year-old Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy’s girlfriend Wendy Gledhill, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Speaking to The New York Post, Wendy said: “I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time.
“I loved James and my son. I still can’t believe it….I can’t believe my son did it. I’m just trying to …” before heading back inside her home.
The 76-year-old also shared a brief message to Handy’s family.
"They know I loved him so much,” she told TMZ.
“I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry this happened. I'm still in shock. I still can't comprehend it."
Cops said Gledhill ‘flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for’.
“The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” the statement continued.
“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”
Gledhill was arrested and then booked at Van Nuys Jail for one count of murder with bail set at $2 million.
Shocking CCTV footage of the incident has been released showing Gledhill walking along the street with bloodstained clothes visible in the background.
A motive for the killing still remains unclear.
Handy made his first on-screen appearance playing a sheriff in the 1977 movie Taps, and went on to rack up almost 150 credits, including roles in Unbreakable, Logan, Law & Order, The X-Files, and Alias.
Most recently, he played the role of bartender Jimmy in the 2022 sequel Top: Gun Maverick.
Following his death, Handy's talent agent Pam Ellis-Evenas said: "With great sadness, I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy."
Claire Reid