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'Top Gun: Maverick' star James Handy stabbed to death in Los Angeles

'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Jumanji' star James Handy has been murdered at the age of 81

Published June 05, 2026
'Top Gun: Maverick' star James Handy stabbed to death in Los Angeles
'Top Gun: Maverick' star James Handy stabbed to death in Los Angeles

James Handy, who is famous for his roles in Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick, has been killed.

On Wednesday, June 3, the 81-year-old acclaimed American actor was stabbed to death in the Tarzana neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

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According to the statement released by the LAPD, Handy was murdered by his girlfriend’s son, whose name has not yet been revealed.

The statement reads, “On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street. The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’’

“Upon their arrival, officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest,” the police revealed.

He was immediately “transported to local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased.”

The statement added, “The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for. The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” the police statement read."

“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time,” it concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that the 44-year-old Michael Gledhill has been taken into custody and booked at Van Nuys Jail for one count of murder with $2 million in bail.

Areeba Sheikh
Areeba Sheikh is a reporter specialising in trending topics, with a focus on music, entertainment culture, and viral moments. For the past two years she has been covering wide artists, releases, and digital conversations, blending storytelling with trend analysis to capture how online buzz, fandom, and pop culture shape global audience engagement.