THE grieving girlfriend of Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy has revealed the star’s last moments before his alleged murder.
Handy’s girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, 44, is in Tarzana, .
The grieving girlfriend of Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy has revealed the star’s last moments Credit: Getty
James Handy was found unconscious and suffering from stab wounds to his chest Credit: Fox11
That day the elderly actor had gone to collect his morning newspaper at around 9am, as he did every morning.
Handy’s distraught girlfriend Wendy Gledhill, 76, told the Daily Mail that he usually read his paper in peace with a cup of – but that morning was different.
When he stepped outside his door, Handy was confronted by Wendy’s son, who she claimed was mentally unwell and not taking his prescribed schizophrenia medication.
An argument is believed to have erupted within moments, before Gledhill allegedly plunged a knife into Handy in the front yard of the $875,000 home the actor shared with Gledhill’s mother, Wendy.
On Monday, a distraught Wendy revealed the horrifying sequence of events – and how she only realised something was wrong when it was too late.
“James had gotten up to get the newspaper at about 9 o’clock, but he didn’t make the coffee like he usually does,’ she said, speaking through a crack in the front door of the couple’s three-bedroom home in the quiet, upscale neighbourhood of Tarzana.
“I just heard the door open because he was getting the paper.” she continued.
Still in bed, Wendy initially thought nothing of it.
But with hindsight, she said: “I can only assume my son was already out there and they started to argue, from my understanding, on the front yard.”
It would be another 30 minutes before the true horror unfolded.
Officers from the Police Department arrived and knocked on her door – bringing news she never imagined.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” Wendy said.
When he stepped outside his door, Handy was confronted by Wendy’s son, who she claimed was mentally unwell Credit: FOX 11
An argument is believed to have erupted within moments, before Gledhill allegedly plunged a knife into Handy Credit: Fox11
“The first time I heard something was happening was when the police showed up.
“They said someone had called 911 and they told me someone was wrapped in a blanket outside the house.
“At first I didn’t know who they were talking about. Then they told me to get away from the door because they thought there was still someone dangerous outside.”
Gledhill – who had been living at the property for two years –.
According to LAPD officials, he told the dispatcher: “I am the son of man. I just killed a man of sin.”
When officers arrived at the home on the 19200 block of Erwin Street, they found Handy lying in the front yard, unconscious with a stab wound to his chest.
He was rushed to hospital but later died.
In disturbing scenes captured on a neighbour’s doorbell footage, Gledhill was seen calmly walking along the pavement after the attack – before returning and flagging down police, telling them he was the man they were looking for.
Neighbours said the violence did not come entirely out of the blue.
Several reported hearing loud arguments between Handy and Gledhill the night before the fatal confrontation.
One neighbour claimed the 44-year-old had previously behaved erratically – even confronting residents over surveillance cameras.
“We knew there was something not right with him, so we just tried to stay away,” they said.
In disturbing scenes captured on a neighbour’s doorbell footage, Gledhill was seen calmly walking along the pavement after the attack Credit: Fox11
Handy was best known for roles in The West Wing and Castle, and most recently appeared in Top Gun: Maverick as bartender Jimmy. Credit: Getty
“But the older couple was always very nice. It’s just very tragic what happened.”
Wendy believes her son may have suffered a mental break after stopping his schizophrenia medication days earlier.
“So I don’t think he was taking it at the time [of the alleged attack], but I don’t know for sure,” she said.
She added she has no idea what could have triggered the deadly confrontation.
Her voice shaking, – overwhelmed with grief.
“I was with James for 31 years and of course I loved him dearly,” she said. “This is so difficult.”
Handy, a veteran character actor, built up nearly 150 and TV credits over decades in the industry.
He was best known for roles in The West Wing and Castle, and most recently appeared in Top Gun: Maverick as bartender Jimmy.
His film work also included Logan and the 1995 hit Jumanji.
His agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, paid tribute, saying: “I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy.”
Gledhill has since been charged with one count of murder, along with a special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon.
He is due to appear in Court on June 22.
Bail has been set at $2,020,000.
If convicted, he faces up to 26 years to life in .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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