Michael Gledhill, the suspect in the 81-year-old’s killing, remains in custody on $2 million bond.

New details in Jumanji actor James Handy’s fatal stabbing revealed as cause of death is confirmed

Michael Gledhill, the suspect in the 81-year-old's killing, remains in custody on $2 million bond.

By Kathleen Perricone

and Joey Nolfi

Joey Nolfi

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes RuPaul’s Drag Race video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

June 12, 2026 8:21 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

James Handy with Kirsten Dunst in 'Jumanji'. Credit:

- Authorities have confirmed that Handy died from "stab wound of torso and neck compression."

- The suspect in Handy's killing, Michael Gledhill, remains in custody on $2 million bond.

- Handy was found dead in the front yard of his girlfriend's Los Angeles home on June 3.

New details have been released in the killing of James Handy, the 81-year-old actor who appeared in *Jumanji*, *Top Gun: Maverick*, and *Arachnophobia*, as well as a dozen other TV shows.

According to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office, Handy died from a "stab wound of torso" and "neck compression," with the death officially being categorized as a homicide, per the office's findings.

The body is, per the report, "ready for release" back to the family.

James Handy's girlfriend claims son is schizophrenic and stopped taking meds a week before actor's murder

Celebrity deaths 2026: Remembering the stars who died this year

Handy died on June 3 after he was discovered in the front yard of his girlfriend's Los Angeles home "unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest," according to the Los Angeles Police Department. They were summoned to the area after receiving a 911 call from someone claiming, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."

LAPD has identified Michael Gledhill, the 44-year-old son of Handy's girlfriend Wendy Gledhill, as the suspect in the actor's suspected murder. Michael Gledhill was taken into custody on June 3 after police said he "flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for."

Gledhill was taken to Van Nuys Jail, where he was booked for on suspicion of one count of murder. His bail was set at $2 million.

James Handy played a bartender in 'Top Gun: Maverick' opposite Tom Cruise.

Two days after the alleged murder, Wendy Gledhill spoke to reporters and tearfully explained what led to the tragic incident involving her son and boyfriend.

As she related to TMZ, Michael was diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025 and had been taking his prescribed medication, but stopped about a week before Handy was fatally stabbed on June 3.

"I'm just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time," Wendy, 76, told the *California Post*. “I loved James and my son. I still can't believe it… I can't believe my son did it."

James Handy (second from right) at 2017 screening of 'Senior Entourage' with Ed Asner.

Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Handy's acting career dates back to 1977, when he appeared on two episodes of the soap opera *Ryan's Hope*. Over the following decades, he popped up on many of the most popular TV shows, including *Cagney and Lacey*, *Matlock*, *Alias,* *The West Wing*, *Melrose Place,* *NYPD Blue*, and *Walker, Texas Ranger*.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

The veteran actor's last public appearance was in 2017 for a screening of *Senior Entourage*, a mockumentary comedy that also starred Ed Asner.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Death News

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”