Veteran Hollywood actor James Handy has died after being discovered with a fatal stab wound outside his Tarzana residence in Los Angeles, the United States, on Wednesday night, prompting a homicide investigation by local authorities.
Police said they were first alerted after emergency dispatchers received a call reporting a disturbance in the neighbourhood.
However, investigators noted that the caller reportedly went beyond a standard complaint and made a shocking statement during the call.
“I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” the caller said, according to audio reviewed by investigators.
Officers who responded to the scene found Handy unresponsive in the yard with a stab wound to the chest. He was rushed by paramedics to a nearby hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.
Authorities identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy’s partner. He was taken into custody at the scene and booked on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $2 million.
Following the incident, police maintained a heavy presence in the residential area as detectives secured the scene and carried out investigations.
Roads were temporarily cordoned off while officers gathered evidence and conducted door-to-door inquiries with neighbours.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the unusual circumstances of the emergency call, particularly the alleged immediate admission made by the suspect before officers arrived, which remains a key focus of the investigation.
Handy had an extensive career in Hollywood as a character actor, featuring in a wide range of film and television productions over several decades.
His film credits include Jumanji, Arachnophobia, Unbreakable, and Logan. On television, he appeared in series such as NYPD Blue, Alias, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Criminal Minds. His final screen appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick (2023).
As inquiries continue, investigators have not yet disclosed a motive for the killing, with detectives still working to establish what led to the fatal confrontation.
