Legal Battle Brews Over Fate Of Carroll Shelby’s Remains

Chris Demorro
June 8, 2012

Almost a month ago, the automotive world lost a true racing legend when Carroll Shelby passed away at the age of 89. Though his death was not unexpected, it still came as a blow to an entire community of car enthusiasts, even those outside of the Ford portfolio. The legacy Shelby leaves behind will live on, though the situation regarding Shelby’s mortal vessel remains…unsettled.

Celebrity gossip website TMZ reported that a legal battle between Shelby’s estranged wife Cleo and some of Shelby’s children over the fate of his remains is brewing, and may soon hit courtrooms.

Cleo and Carroll married some 14 years ago, and Cleo even opened a jewelry store utilizing the Shelby name to help hawk items like a 14k gold Cobra emblems and $70,000 jewel-encrusted bracelets featuring the famed Cobra. But in 2010 Carroll filed for divorce from Cleo, claiming she lied to him about her assets, her past, and even her real name. Carroll Shelby even went so far as to file for marriage annulment, and allegedly he signed a document giving his eldest son control over his body once he died.

If that document is proven to be real, this is an open and shut case. But since Cleo is technically still married to Carroll, she legally has a right over what happens to his body. So instead of getting a proper burial, the great automotive legend hangs in legal limbo while his family figures out what to do with his body.

Carroll Shelby deserved better.