Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy was pronounced dead on Thursday, June 4
Wendy Gledhill has broken her silence following the alleged fatal stabbing of her boyfriend, James Handy, by her son, Michael Gledhill.
The 81 year old actor was widely recognised for his roles in films including Arachnophobia, Jumanji, Unbreakable, Logan, and Top Gun: Maverick, in which he played Jimmy.
He was pronounced dead on Thursday, 4th June, after sustaining a stab wound to the chest. Michael, the son of James’s girlfriend Wendy, was arrested shortly afterwards on suspicion of the killing and remains in police custody, reports the Mirror US..
Wendy’s first public statement comes in the wake of the Jumanji actor’s final public appearance before he was fatally stabbed by her son.
Speaking to The California Post on 5th June, the 76 year old said, “I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time,” before adding, “I loved James and my son.”
She went on to say, “I can’t believe my son did it. I’m just trying to… ” before retreating back into her home in Tarzana, California. She had previously told TMZ that her son had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but had stopped taking his prescribed medication prior to the alleged incident.
On Thursday, 4th June, Los Angeles police confirmed they had launched a murder investigation following a chilling 911 call. According to reports, the suspected killer rang the emergency services and stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” Officers arrived at the property to find the actor unconscious in the front garden, having apparently sustained a stab wound to the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where the 81 year old was pronounced dead.
“The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, a resident of Tarzana,” investigators stated in a press release. “He was arrested and transported to Van Nuys Jail where he was booked for one count of murder.”
Wendy also shared a heartfelt message for James’s nearest and dearest. “They know I loved him so much. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened. I’m still in shock. I still can’t comprehend it,” she said.
James enjoyed a career spanning 45 years, amassing dozens of film and television credits, including well-loved titles such as Jumanji, The X-Files, Law and Order, and NCIS: Los Angeles, amongst many others.
Michael remains in custody on $2 million bail. Investigators have yet to disclose a motive for the senseless killing, nor have they confirmed whether Wendy’s claims that her son had been diagnosed with mental health issues prior to the stabbing are accurate.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login