He was later the husband of science-fiction writer Alice B. Sheldon (alias James Tiptree Jr.), 12 years his junior. In 1987, she shot and killed Sheldon and then herself in what was either a murder-suicide or, based on her personal writings, a suicide pact.
He was later married to science-fiction writer Alice B. Sheldon (pen name James Tiptree Jr.), who was significantly younger than him. In 1987, she shot and killed him, followed by her own death in an incident that raised questions about the nature of their relationship.