Judith 'Judy' Sheldon and Wylie Sheldon Found Deceased in California Car
Judith 'Judy' Sheldon, the daughter of acclaimed director William Wyler, and her husband Wylie Sheldon were discovered dead in their vehicle in Redding, California, on June 15.
Judith 'Judy' Sheldon, aged 84, the daughter of the renowned Oscar-winning director William Wyler and Margaret 'Talli' Tallichet, along with her husband Wylie Sheldon, 86, were found deceased inside their running Jeep Compass in northern California on June 15.
According to a report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), officers stopped to investigate the parked vehicle on the shoulder of a highway in Redding, which is located approximately 160 miles north of Sacramento, at around 5:45 p.m. local time.
The CHP report stated that the officers found both the driver and passenger unresponsive in the vehicle. Medical personnel arrived on the scene, and both Judy and Wylie were pronounced dead at the location. The report indicated that the circumstances of their deaths appeared to be medically related.
As of now, the cause of death and the surrounding circumstances are still under investigation. CHP Lieutenant Josh Smith informed SFGate that there is no suspicion of foul play, but they are awaiting confirmation regarding the timing of an autopsy.
'It was the hottest day of the year so far, or the second hottest. I'm sure there's always a possibility that excessive heat played a role,' Smith stated, while also noting that he cannot confirm this without a medical examination.
Judy Sheldon was a significant supporter of the arts, having served as the chairman of the board for the San Francisco Silent Film Festival for nearly three decades. Her father, William Wyler, is best known for directing classic films such as Roman Holiday, which starred Audrey Hepburn, and Ben-Hur.
In response to the tragic news, Anita Monga, the artistic director of the festival, shared her thoughts on the couple's impact. 'They were so dear and devoted to one another,' she expressed in an email. 'I know that being part of San Francisco was very important for them. They were in a position to be supportive of the arts. They raised their family here, and they were such integral parts of the community.'
