An autopsy report has revealed that actor James Handy, known for his roles in 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Jumanji,' may have been incapacitated by neck compression before being fatally stabbed. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office stated that the neck compression could have occurred prior to the stab wound, which ultimately led to Handy's death from multiple traumatic injuries. The death has been ruled a homicide.
Investigators reported that Handy was involved in an argument with his girlfriend's son, Michael Gledhill, which escalated into a physical altercation. Gledhill allegedly stabbed Handy after retrieving a knife from inside the home. He was charged with murder on June 5, with a special allegation of using a deadly weapon.
Police found the 81-year-old actor unconscious outside a residence in Los Angeles, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Gledhill did not attend his arraignment, where a judge ordered him to undergo mental health evaluations. He remains in custody with bail set at $2 million and faces a potential sentence of up to 26 years in prison if convicted. Gledhill reportedly confessed to the crime and flagged down officers upon their arrival.