The devastated girlfriend of actor James Handy, Wendy Gledhill, has spoken publicly for the first time after her son was accused of fatally stabbing the veteran Hollywood star.
Wendy, 76, said she is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that has left her mourning both the loss of her partner and the allegations against her son.
Speaking outside her California home, Gledhill fought back tears as she described the unimaginable situation facing her family.
‘I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time,’ she told the New York Post.
‘I loved James and my son. I still can’t believe it…. I can’t believe my son did it. I’m just trying to …’
She was unable to finish the sentence before returning inside, visibly overwhelmed by emotion.
Her son, Michael Gledhill, 44, has been charged with murder following the death of Handy, who was best known for roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Logan, Jumanji and dozens of popular television series.
Police allege the 81-year-old actor was stabbed multiple times in the chest at the Tarzana home he shared with Wendy.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were dispatched to the property on Wednesday morning after receiving a deeply disturbing 911 call.
Authorities say the caller told emergency operators: ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’
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When officers arrived shortly before 9.30am, they discovered Handy unconscious in the front yard suffering from multiple stab wounds. Audio from police dispatches reportedly captured an officer requesting urgent medical assistance.
‘We also need a rescue ambulance for a male, not conscious, not breathing, suffering from a stab wound,’ the officer said.
Handy was transported to hospital but later died from his injuries. Investigators allege Gledhill remained at the scene and even approached responding officers.
According to police, he identified himself as the suspect before being taken into custody. He is currently being held on a $2million (£1.5million) bond.
As the investigation continues, neighbours have begun speaking about what they witnessed in the hours before the actor’s death.
Several residents told US media they allegedly heard arguments coming from the property overnight.
Police have stressed that they believe the incident was isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Handy’s death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, where he spent decades building a reputation as one of the industry’s most dependable character actors.
His talent agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, confirmed the tragedy in a statement.
‘With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,’ she said.
Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Handy amassed almost 150 screen credits. Most recently he appeared as bartender Jimmy in Top Gun: Maverick alongside Tom Cruise.
He also appeared opposite Hugh Jackman in Logan and starred in the beloved 1995 family adventure Jumanji with Robin Williams.
Television audiences knew him from appearances in The West Wing, The X-Files, Criminal Minds, ER and NCIS: Los Angeles, among many others.
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