Top Gun: Maverick star James Handy has died at the age of 81, with police saying he was stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s son in his own front yard.

The Los Angeles Police Department said the alleged murder happened in Tarzana, LA on Wednesday, June 3. Michael Gledhill, 44, later allegedly rang officers and told them he was the suspect they were looking for in a chilling 911 call. James Handy, Top Gun

Top Gun star James Handy dies at 81 after being fatally stabbed by girlfriend’s son. 20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett Collection

Gledhill has since been charged with one count of murder. He is expected to be charged today.

“This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said.

“The victim, James Handy, deserved to live out his later years enjoying what he had worked so hard for and enjoying it with those he loved and cared about.”

The suspect was arrested for one count of murder with $2.8 million ($US2m) bail set.

“On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30am, West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street,” the police statement read, reported the The California Post. 

“The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’ Upon their arrival, officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest.

“The victim was transported to [a] local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased.”

Police confirmed the suspect was the son of the late actor’s girlfriend.

“The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for. The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” they said. James Handy played Detective Alan Cross in The X Files.

Late star Handy was also known for the likes of 1995’s Jumanji. IMBD/20th Century Fox Television

They added a message to locals saying there was no further threat to the community.
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“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”

Speaking to TMZ, Handy’s girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, said she was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

“I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time,” she said.

The 76-year-old said she “loved James and my son” and could not believe the allegations.

Wendy also said her son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in July last year and had recently stopped taking prescribed medication. She claimed he had become increasingly paranoid.

According to prosecutors, Gledhill remains in custody and faces up to 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

Late star Handy was also known for the likes of 1995’s Jumanji and had an eight episode stint in the hit TV show, Alias.

The late star hailed from New York and started his successful career in the 1980s.

He also appeared in the likes of K-911, Law & Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and even the film Logan, opposite Aussie star Hugh Jackman.

According to his IMDB profile, the late star had an upcoming acting credit by his name, in Kickback, V, which is in pre-production.

He also had small parts on shows like The Young and the Restless, Criminal Minds and Castle.

SOURCE: 9NEWS

https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/top-gun-maverick-star-james-handy-dies-at-81-after-being-fatally-stabbed-by-girlfriend-s-son-20260605-p604a2.html