The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has now reportedly ruled that Carrie Romney, the sister-in-law of former Republican Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, died by suicide, bringing to a close several weeks of investigation into the tragic incident.
According to People, officials determined that the 64-year-old died from “blunt traumatic injuries” after investigators discovered her body at the bottom of a multi-story parking structure in Valencia on October 10.
Authorities believe she jumped from the five-story concrete facility. No foul play is suspected, and officials have not released further details regarding the circumstances leading up to her death. The determination formally ends the review into a case that has weighed heavily on the Romney family.
Carrie Romney was married to George Scott Romney, the 81-year-old older brother of Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and two-term U.S. senator from Utah. According to individuals familiar with the situation, the couple had been locked in a contentious divorce process in the months preceding her death, though authorities have not linked the personal turmoil to the medical examiner’s findings.
The news marks a painful moment for the Romney family, which has experienced public scrutiny for decades due to its long political involvement. Mitt Romney, who recently retired from the U.S. Senate, issued a brief but heartfelt statement through a representative.
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives,” the statement said, according to People. “We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
The former senator’s comments reflect the family’s grief as they process a tragedy that unfolded far from the political spotlight. While Romney has often been at the center of national debates, this deeply personal loss has prompted the family to step back and mourn privately.
Local investigators responded to the scene in October after receiving reports of a body in the parking structure. Following standard procedure, the coroner’s office conducted a thorough review before issuing its final determination on Tuesday. With suicide now listed as the official manner of death, authorities do not anticipate releasing additional updates.
The tragedy underscores the broader mental-health challenges facing millions of Americans. While the medical examiner’s report does not speculate on motive or personal circumstances, the case serves as a sobering reminder that emotional struggles can affect individuals and families from every background—including those well known in public life.
As the Romney family continues to grieve, public officials and community members have respected their request for privacy. The matter has remained largely outside the political sphere, acknowledged primarily as a heartbreaking personal loss rather than a public event.
Carrie Romney’s passing leaves friends and loved ones mourning a woman described by her family as someone who “brought warmth and love” to those around her. For now, the focus remains on supporting the family and honoring their wishes as they navigate an immensely difficult chapter.
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