Veteran Hollywood actor James Handy’s cause of death has been revealed after a violent attack outside his California home, officials have said.
The actor, best known for roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Logan and Jumanji, was 81.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Handy’s death was caused not only by stab wounds but also by ‘neck compression’, a term used to describe abnormal pressure being applied to structures in the neck.
Handy was attacked outside his Tarzana home on June 3 and later died in hospital despite emergency treatment.
Police previously said they responded to a chilling 911 call in which a man allegedly told dispatchers: ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’
When officers arrived at the property, they found Handy unconscious in the front yard suffering from severe injuries.
The suspect was identified as Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s longtime partner, Wendy Gledhill. He was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with murder involving the use of a deadly weapon.
Police said Gledhill allegedly approached responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for.
Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive, but Handy’s partner has spoken about the tragic circumstances surrounding the attack.
According to Wendy, Handy had stepped outside that morning to collect the newspaper, something he routinely did before making coffee.
‘James had gotten up to get the newspaper at about 9 o’clock, but he didn’t make the coffee like he usually does,’ she said.
‘I just heard the door open because he was getting the paper.’
She believes an argument may have broken out between Handy and her son in the front yard.
‘I can only assume my son was already out there and they started to argue,’ she said.
About half an hour later, police arrived at the property.
‘The first time I heard something was happening was when the police showed up,’ Wendy recalled.
‘At first I didn’t know who they were talking about. Then they told me to get away from the door because they thought there was still someone dangerous outside.’
Wendy has also claimed her son had been struggling with mental illness and was not taking medication prescribed for schizophrenia at the time.
Neighbours later told US media they had heard arguments coming from the property the night before the fatal incident.
One resident alleged Gledhill had previously displayed erratic behaviour and had confronted neighbours about surveillance cameras in the area.
‘We knew there was something not right with him, so we just tried to stay away,’ the neighbour said.
‘But the older couple was always very nice. It’s just very tragic what happened.’
Following the attack, Ring doorbell footage reportedly showed a man believed to be Gledhill walking through the neighbourhood before later approaching police officers.
The LAPD has stressed that detectives believe the killing was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Handy’s death sent shockwaves through Hollywood.
His talent agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, confirmed the news shortly afterwards, saying: ‘With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed in Tarzana was the actor James Handy.’
She later added: ‘I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy.’
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Handy became one of Hollywood’s most recognisable character actors, amassing more than 150 screen credits.
He appeared alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick and also featured in films including Logan, Jumanji, The Rocketeer and Arachnophobia.
His television work included appearances in The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Criminal Minds, Castle and The X-Files.
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