There is evidence that “Top Gun: Maverick” actor James Handy may have been incapacitated by neck compression before he was fatally stabbed, Fox News Digital confirmed.
Given evidence found during Handy’s autopsy, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office claimed “it is possible the neck compression occurred prior to the infliction of the stab wound and may have incapacitated the decedent prior to the stabbing.”
The report confirmed Handy died from multiple traumatic injuries caused by a combination of a stab wound to the torso and neck compression. The manner of death was ruled homicide.
ACTOR JAMES HANDY, KNOWN FOR ‘JUMANJI’ AND ‘TOP GUN: MAVERICK,’ ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY GIRLFRIEND’S SON
According to investigators, Handy became involved in an argument with his girlfriend’s son, which escalated into a physical fight.
Authorities claimed the suspect mounted Handy, dragged him to the side of the residence, entered the home, returned with what appeared to be a knife and allegedly stabbed the actor. The suspect and the weapon were taken into custody.
Michael Gledhill, 44, was charged with one count of murder with a special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon, a knife, June 5.
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Police claimed officers found the 81-year-old actor stabbed in the chest and lying unconscious outside a home in Los Angeles days before. Handy was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead.
Gledhill did not appear at his arraignment on June 5, where Superior Court Judge John H. Reid ordered that Gledhill be sent to mental health court and undergo psychological evaluations. Another judge will decide whether he is competent for trial.
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Gledhill remained behind bars after the court hearing with bail set at $2 million. He faces up to 26 years in prison if convicted. His arrest came after he allegedly confessed to the crime.
According to police, a 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
According to investigators, Gledhill flagged down officers as they arrived and told them he was the person they were looking for.
Gledhill is the son of Handy’s girlfriend of 30 years, Wendy Gledhill. Actor Brian Delate, who knew Handy for over four decades, told The Associated Press that a few times over the past couple of years, Handy mentioned in passing that his girlfriend’s son had mental health problems.
“I didn’t think much of it, because he just kind of mentioned it casually,” he said.
Handy’s girlfriend had fixed up the garage so her son could live there, Delate said. Handy had his own home.
Born in New York, Handy appeared in films and TV shows for decades.
He was known for his role as an exterminator in the 1995 film “Jumanji” and more recently as the bartender Jimmy in the 2022 film “Top Gun: Maverick,” according to IMDB. He’s also appeared in some of the top TV crime dramas, including “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Closer” and “Cold Case.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
