Prominent San Francisco Socialites Found Dead in Running Car on Highway

A pair of prominent San Francisco socialites, known for being longtime patrons of the arts, were found dead in a running car on the side of a highway, police said.

Judith Sheldon, 84, daughter of the filmmaker William Wyler, and her husband, Wylie Sheldon, 86, were found inside their Jeep Compass on the shoulder of Interstate 5 approaching Lake Shasta by a California Highway Patrol Officer Monday night, SFGate reported.

The couple was found unresponsive inside the car, which was still running, California Highway Patrol Lieutenant Josh Smith said.

“We don’t have a lot of information now,” Smith said. “An autopsy has not been performed yet. We’re waiting to hear when they’ll schedule that.”

Despite having little information, authorities say they do not suspect foul play. Authorities are still investigating the cause of death, but the San Francisco Chronicle reported that it was medical-related.

“It was the hottest day of the year so far, or second hottest. I’m sure there’s always a possibility that excessive heat played a role,” Smith said. “But I can’t confirm that without a medical exam.”

Judy was the daughter of actress Margaret Tallichet, known for films including “It Start With Eve” and “Stranger on the Third Floor,” and William Wyler, a longtime movie director who won three Academy Awards for best director.

The couple was deeply involved in the arts community in Pacific Heights and would often open up their home to visiting artists. Judy was also a chairman on the board of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, where she held roles for over 27 years.

“They were so dear and devoted to one another,” Anita Monga, the artistic director of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, told SFGate. “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.”

Judy and Wylie both graduated from Stanford University. Wylie went to Stanford Law School and practiced law until 2008. The couple raised two sons, Christopher and Samuel, in San Francisco.

The couple used their position to help strengthen the city’s art communities, including the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Performances, where Judy served as the gala co-chair in 2022, SFGate reports.

“They have been patrons and supporters of SF Performances for decades,” Melanie Smith, the president of San Francisco Performances, told the outlet. “This is a terrible loss for the arts community, and we will miss them very much.”