Her comments came during a recent interview with the Daily Mail, one week after the veteran performer was killed at age 81.
Wendy Gledhill Recalls the Morning James Handy Was Killed
In the interview, Gledhill recalled that Handy got out of bed around 9 a.m. on June 3 to retrieve the newspaper. One detail stood out to her afterward. “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 told the outlet. She added that all she heard was the front door opening as he stepped outside.
Gledhill told the Daily Mail that she remained in bed and was unaware that a confrontation may have been unfolding outside the house. Referring to her son, Michael Gledhill, she said, “I can only assume my son was already out there and they started to argue, from my understanding, on the front yard.” She also acknowledged that she does not know what may have triggered the alleged dispute.
According to Gledhill, she did not realize anything had happened until officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived at the residence roughly half an hour later. “The first time I heard something was happening was when the police showed up,” she said. Authorities informed her that a 911 call had been placed and that “someone was wrapped in a blanket outside the house,” though she told the outlet she did not initially understand who they were referring to.
The interview also touched on Michael Gledhill’s mental health history. Gledhill said her 44-year-old son, who has reportedly been diagnosed with schizophrenia, may have stopped taking his medication in the week before the incident. “So I don’t think he was taking it at the time [of the alleged attack], but I don’t know for sure,” she told the publication.
Elsewhere in the interview, Gledhill described the emotional toll of the tragedy. “I was with James for 31 years and of course I loved him dearly,” she said. “This is so difficult.” She also told the Daily Mail that she has not left the home since Handy’s death.
The actor spent nearly five decades working steadily across film and television, appearing in titles including “Jumanji,” “Arachnophobia,” “Alias,” “Profiler,” “Logan” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” He died after suffering a fatal stab wound to the chest. Michael Gledhill was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.
