S.F. film patron deaths on I-5 were ‘medically related,’ CHP says

Key Points:

• Judy Wyler Sheldon, 84, and her husband Wylie Sheldon, 86, longtime San Francisco arts patrons, were found dead inside a running SUV near Redding, California, in an incident described by the CHP as medically related; the cause of death remains under investigation.
• Judy Sheldon, daughter of Oscar-winning director William Wyler, was a prominent figure in the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, serving as chair and known for her dedication to silent film preservation and support of the arts community.
• The couple was traveling to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival when they were found unresponsive on Interstate 5 during a day of extreme heat, though it is unclear if the heat contributed to their deaths.
• The Sheldons were celebrated for their generosity, often hosting festival events at their San Francisco home and fostering connections among archivists, musicians, and film enthusiasts.
• Judy Sheldon had a background in acting during the 1950s and was deeply involved in promoting silent film culture, remembered fondly by colleagues for her warmth, curiosity, and commitment to the arts.