Dispute Over Control of Carroll Shelby’s Body

The children and the estranged wife of automobile designer Carroll Shelby are in dispute over who should have control of his remains.  His children argue that the oldest of the children should have control over the body because Shelby drafted a document that gave the oldest son the authority to decide. However, Shelby’s estranged wife, Cleo Shelby, contends that because Shelby and her were technically married at the time of his death, she has the authority to decide on what happens to his remains. 

There are faults with both stories. Cleo has argued the document the children have is forged, and that her late-husband did not have the physical ability to sign the new document. On the other hand, his estranged wife might not have any authority if a judge grants the annulment that Shelby filed during the divorce proceedings. The judge has the authority to grant the annulment; therefore, if the judge does grant the annulment, then his children will win this dispute.

See TMZ Staff, Carroll Shelby: Wife vs. Kids in War Over Auto Legend’s Body, TMZ, June 12, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.