An elderly California couple, Judith and Wylie Sheldon, were found dead in their vehicle on June 15 while en route to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

The couple, aged 84 and 86 respectively, were discovered by a California Highway Patrol officer in the Redding area.

The officer found their 2022 Jeep Compass parked along northbound Interstate 5 with the engine running.

Judith Sheldon was in the driver's seat and Wylie Sheldon was in the passenger seat, both unresponsive.

Emergency responders attempted medical aid, but the couple was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities indicated that their deaths appeared to be medically related, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

The Sheldons were known as longtime arts patrons.

Judith Sheldon was the daughter of Oscar-winning director William Wyler and served as chair of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s Board of Directors.

Their journey to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival highlights their continued engagement with the arts community.

In a statement, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival expressed profound sadness over the loss.

"They were patrons and supporters of OSF, and we recognize their support of arts and cultural organizations throughout the region," the festival stated, extending condolences to their family and friends.

This development underscores the deep connections between arts patrons and the institutions they support.

Records from the National Weather Service show that Redding experienced an extreme heat warning on the day the Sheldons were found, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 109 degrees.