Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, has been found dead near a parking garage in the Valencia neighborhood of Santa Clarita, California.
The 64-year-old was discovered around 8:30PM near the 24500 block of Town Center Drive, close to the Westfield Valencia Town Center mall and the Hyatt Regency hotel on Friday evening (October 10).
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, homicide investigators were called to the scene shortly after a passerby found her body near a five-story parking structure.
Authorities said her vehicle was located parked nearby.
Circumstances Remain Unclear
While the cause of death has not yet been determined, investigators believe Carrie may have either fallen or jumped from the garage.
“We don’t know if it was suicide or accidental,” said LA County Sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Daniel Vizcarra. “There is not enough information to go by yet on what the coroner has given us so far," per The Independent.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed her death occurred on Friday and listed her cause of death as "deferred," pending further investigation and toxicology results. As of Monday (October 13), her body status was listed as "ready for release."
A Private Life and a Recent Separation
Carrie was married to George Scott Romney, 84, a prominent Michigan attorney and Mitt Romney’s older brother. Scott is also the father of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel.
Carrie and Scott Romney tied the knot on November 26, 2016, and had no children together. The couple reportedly separated in May of this year, and Scott filed for divorce on June 10, citing irreconcilable differences, Daily Mail reported.
The filing stated that most of their assets had been obtained separately before the marriage. Scott noted that Carrie was seeking spousal support, which he opposed, and asked that she go back to using her maiden name, Carrie Elizabeth Dimas, the outlet reported.
Despite their public family ties, the couple led a notably private life. They had no known social media presence, avoided media appearances after 2012, and were never photographed together in public.
Mitt Romney Issues Statement on Behalf of the Family
In a brief but emotional statement shared with PEOPLE, Mitt spoke on behalf of the family: “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
The politician, who served as Massachusetts governor and was the Republican nominee for president in 2012, was elected U.S. senator for Utah in 2018.
Known for his independent stance within the GOP, he twice voted to impeach President Donald Trump. Romney left office earlier this year at the end of his Senate term.
The investigation into Carrie's death is ongoing.
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