The daughter of Oscar-winning director William Wyler, Judith "Judy" Wyler Sheldon, 84, and her husband Wylie Sheldon, 86, were discovered dead this week in a running SUV on Interstate 5 in Northern California, authorities reported.
The couple was found on Monday evening in a Jeep Compass parked on the northbound shoulder of I-5, just north of Fawndale Road near Redding, according to the California Highway Patrol. An officer located the vehicle around 5:46 pm, with Judy Sheldon in the driver's seat and her husband beside her.
A second officer arrived, and despite attempts by emergency medical workers to revive the pair, both were declared dead at the scene, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Investigation Underway
An official cause of death has yet to be announced. The case is under investigation by the CHP's Northern Division Investigative Services Unit. Authorities have not indicated whether foul play, a medical emergency, carbon monoxide exposure, heat, or another factor may have contributed to the deaths.
The tragic incident occurred while the Redding area was experiencing an extreme heat warning. Temperatures soared to approximately 109 degrees on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. It remains unclear whether the intense heat played a part in the incident.
Community in Shock
The news has sent shockwaves through San Francisco's film and arts community, where Judy Sheldon was a key figure in silent-film preservation and a longstanding leader of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
"We are reeling from this news," said Anita Monga, artistic director of the festival, in a statement. "Judy and Wylie were very dear to us, supportive and a positive presence at all our events."
Monga acknowledged Sheldon's dedication to the festival was matched by her warmth and hospitality. "I used to joke with her that she was our Frank Sinatra - Chairman of the Board," Monga reminisced. The couple regularly welcomed visiting archivists, musicians, and film enthusiasts associated with the festival.
