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Former presidential candidate and Utah senator Mitt Romney has spoken publicly following the death of his sister-in-law, Carrie Elizabeth Romney, who was found dead near a parking garage in Valencia, California, on Friday night. She was 64.
In a statement shared with People, Romney said his family is "heartbroken" by the loss. "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives," the senator wrote. "We ask for privacy during this difficult time."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Carrie's body was discovered around 8:30 p.m. in a lot on Town Center Drive, near a Hyatt Regency hotel. Authorities said her car was parked inside the garage and that it remains "unknown at the moment" whether she jumped or fell from the structure.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office listed her cause of death as "deferred," indicating that further investigation is underway. Officials added that foul play is not currently suspected.
Carrie had been married to George Scott Romney, the senator's older brother and a Michigan-based attorney, before the couple separated earlier this year. Divorce filings obtained by multiple outlets showed that George, 81, had filed in June citing irreconcilable differences after eight years of marriage. The pair wed in November 2016 and had largely kept their relationship private.
Carrie's death marks another personal tragedy for a family long in the public eye. During Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, George was a visible supporter, often representing the Romney family at political events and speaking during the Republican National Convention.
Authorities said an investigation into Carrie's death remains ongoing and that results from toxicology and autopsy reports will determine the official cause.
Romney, who announced in 2024 that he would not seek re-election to the Senate, is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the Republican Party's modern era. Known for his independent streak, he was the only GOP senator to vote to convict former President Donald Trump during both impeachment trials.
