Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, the sister-in-law of former U.S. Senator and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, was found dead Friday evening outside a parking structure in Valencia, California, prompting an ongoing investigation by Los Angeles County authorities.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. local time to a multistory parking garage near Town Center Drive in the Valencia area. The woman’s body was discovered adjacent to the structure, and preliminary reports indicate she may have fallen or jumped from the garage.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has classified Carrie Romney’s cause of death as “deferred,” meaning a medical determination is pending additional toxicology results and further investigation. Authorities have not confirmed foul play and have said that, based on early findings, no evidence suggests a criminal act.
In a statement provided to People magazine, a representative for Mitt Romney said:
“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.”
Carrie Elizabeth Romney’s connection to the Romney family stems from her marriage into Mitt Romney’s extended family, though further biographical details have not yet been publicly confirmed.
Mitt Romney, who represented Utah in the U.S. Senate until January 2025, has not released additional personal remarks beyond the family statement.
As the medical examiner continues its work and investigators await toxicology and autopsy findings, the circumstances of Carrie Elizabeth Romney’s tragic death remain under review. Authorities have urged that no definitive conclusions be drawn until all data is available.
