Former presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is “heartbroken” after his sister-in-law was found dead Friday inside a Los Angeles-area parking garage.
Authorities found Carrie Elizabeth Romney dead Friday night inside a five-story parking garage at a Santa Clarita shopping mall, near the Hyatt Regency hotel, NBC Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Times previously reported. She was 64.
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives,” the recently retired Republican senator, 78, said in a statement to People. “We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Carrie had been married to the politician’s brother, corporate attorney G. Scott Romney, according to USA Today.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed in an advisory Monday that the Homicide Bureau responded to the 24000 block of Town Center Drive at around 9 p.m. local time Friday, when they found Carrie. An investigation is ongoing.
Though authorities don’t suspect foul play, no cause of death had been identified as of Monday, per the NBC affiliate.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner has listed Carrie’s body as “ready for release” and her cause of death “deferred,” though it confirms she died in the “street.” As of Tuesday morning, the case is still designated as open.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney previously sought the White House in 2008 and 2012, losing both bids to Former President Barack Obama. Romney eventually secured a seat in the U.S. Senate, representing the state of Utah from 2019 until January of this year.
