Carrie Romney, the sister-in-law of former Republican Senator Mitt Romney, was found dead in a Southern California parking garage on Friday, according to a report from ABC News released on Monday.
Authorities said the 64-year-old Valencia resident may have either fallen or jumped from the parking structure. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, officials confirmed that the cause of death has been listed as “deferred” pending the results of a toxicology report.
“The investigation remains ongoing and investigators are waiting for an official cause of death from the medical examiner,” the report stated. Police have not indicated any evidence of foul play at this stage. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting the investigation and has yet to release further details about the incident, including what led Carrie Romney to the parking garage.
Carrie Romney was married into one of the most prominent political families in the United States. Mitt Romney, who served as a U.S. senator from Utah and was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, has not yet publicly commented on her death.
Throughout his political career, Romney was known for taking independent stances within his party, often clashing with former President Donald Trump. His opposition to Trump’s policies and his vote to convict the former president during the first impeachment trial made him one of the few Republicans to break ranks at the time.
Romney’s extended family has also faced political tensions connected to Trump. His niece, Ronna McDaniel, who chaired the Republican National Committee, publicly distanced herself from Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Her decision drew backlash from Trump and his supporters, further deepening divisions within the Republican Party.
News of Carrie Romney’s death has brought shock and sorrow to those close to the family. Friends and neighbors in Valencia described her as warm and compassionate, noting that she was deeply involved in her community. Authorities have not released information about funeral arrangements, and the family has not made a formal statement.
As the medical examiner’s office completes its investigation, officials emphasized that determining whether the fall was accidental or intentional will depend on the results of the toxicology screening and other evidence. For now, the cause and manner of Carrie Romney’s death remain undetermined, leaving her family and friends waiting for answers as investigators continue their work.