Top Gun Actor’s Cause of Death Revealed as Tragic New Details Emerge

Veteran actor James Handy’s cause of death has been revealed after the Top Gun: Maverick star was brutally attacked outside a Los Angeles home earlier this month.

Handy, 81, died after suffering stab wounds and neck compression during the fatal assault, according to details from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner. The longtime actor, also known for roles in NYPD Blue, 9-1-1 and NCIS: Los Angeles, was reportedly stabbed in the torso and neck before he was found badly wounded in the front yard.

The attack has stunned Hollywood and devastated those closest to Handy, especially his longtime girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill, whose son has been accused in the killing.

Police said Handy was still alive when officers found him outside the home after a 911 call. He was rushed to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.

The suspect, 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, is the son of Handy’s girlfriend. Prosecutors have charged him with one count of murder, along with a special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon, identified as a knife.

Authorities said Gledhill allegedly left the scene after the attack and was later captured on a neighbor’s Ring camera walking calmly down the sidewalk. He was arrested soon after.

The case took an even more disturbing turn after officials said Gledhill allegedly flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for. According to a police report, authorities responded after a 911 caller made a chilling statement: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Handy’s longtime girlfriend was left shattered by the killing.

“I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time,” Wendy Gledhill told the California Post outside her home. “I loved James and my son. I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe my son did it.”

The 76-year-old reportedly became too emotional to continue speaking and went back inside.

Neighbors have also spoken out about the suspect’s alleged behavior before the deadly attack. One neighbor, Joheina Quibol, described Michael Gledhill as looking “really rugged” and claimed he appeared as though he did not change his clothes. She also described him as “paranoid” and suggested he may have been struggling with mental health issues.

Gledhill did not appear at his June 5 arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court, and no plea was entered. His attorney, Javier Trincado, told the judge that his client was “unable to assist” in his defense. The attorney also said the sheriff’s department did not bring Gledhill to court, though no specific reason was given.

Superior Court Judge John H. Reid ordered Gledhill to be sent to mental health court for psychological evaluations. Another judge will determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Handy’s death marks a tragic end to a decades-long career in film and television. While many viewers may recognize him from Top Gun: Maverick, he had built an extensive résumé over the years with appearances in some of television’s most recognizable police and drama series.

Now, instead of celebrating his career, loved ones and fans are left trying to process the horrifying circumstances surrounding his final moments.

The case remains ongoing.