James Handy’s girlfriend Wendy Gledhill spoke out following the June 4 arrest of her son, Michael, who is accused of fatally stabbing the veteran actor.
She told TMZ that Michael, 44, suffers from schizophrenia and paranoia and was given a prescription for his condition after he was diagnosed in July 2025. She noted that he was struggling with serious mental health issues at the time of the alleged murder of the “Top Gun: Maverick” star, and he had allegedly stopped taking his medication approximately a week before Handy’s tragic death.
She went on to say that Michael and Handy had a cordial relationship.
Police located Handy, 81, unconscious and suffering from multiple stab wounds to the chest. He was rushed to hospital, but despite the best efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead.
TMZ reported that Wendy was emotional at the time of their interview and issued a statement to the actor’s family. “They know I loved him so much,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened. I’m still in shock.”
“I still can’t comprehend it,” she said.
The outlet asked Wendy if her son should spend the rest of his life behind bars, and she reportedly said that he should not be where he can hurt any others.
TMZ previously reported that a male phoned 911 and told dispatchers, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Michael allegedly flagged police down when they arrived on-scene and surrendered himself after the incident, the outlet reported. He remains behind bars on one count of murder. Bail has been set at $2 million.
James Handy, a veteran actor who appeared in “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji,” was stabbed to death in Los Angeles by his girlfriend’s son, the LAPD said. https://t.co/oMDW3ktCaI pic.twitter.com/M1wKbQKOv3
— Variety (@Variety) June 5, 2026
Police have not officially confirmed the state of Michael’s mental health or if he has schizophrenia. (RELATED: Actor James Handy Allegedly Stabbed To Death By Girlfriend’s Son)
Handy’s decades-long career in the entertainment industry included a vast number of television credits, as well as roles in “Jumanji,” “Arachnophobia” and “Taps.”