The sister-in-law of former Senator Mitt Romney was found dead under mysterious circumstances in California, with authorities deferring the official cause of death pending toxicology results.
Story Snapshot
- Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, discovered dead next to a Valencia parking garage on October 10, 2025
- Los Angeles County homicide investigators responded around 9 p.m. to the scene
- Medical examiner has deferred cause of death determination pending toxicology tests
- No arrests or suspects announced as investigation continues
Family Connection to Political Prominence
Carrie Elizabeth Romney served as the sister-in-law to Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts Governor who ran as the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 and represented Utah in the U.S. Senate until recently concluding his term in 2025. The 64-year-old woman was not a public figure herself, but her family connection has drawn national media attention to what might otherwise be a local investigation. The Romney family has maintained decades of political prominence, making this tragedy particularly noteworthy for conservative audiences who followed Mitt Romney’s career.
Mysterious Circumstances Surround Discovery
Authorities discovered Carrie Romney’s body behind the Henry Mayo Fitness and Health Club on Towne Center Drive in Valencia, California, during the evening hours of Friday, October 10, 2025. Los Angeles County homicide investigators arrived at approximately 9 p.m. to examine the scene next to a parking garage. Preliminary information suggested she may have either jumped or fallen from the structure, though investigators have not ruled out other possibilities. The unusual circumstances have prompted a thorough death investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.
Investigation Status Remains Open
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has officially listed the cause of death as “deferred” while awaiting toxicology test results, a standard procedure when circumstances are unclear. Sheriff’s Department investigators continue gathering evidence and have not announced any arrests or identified suspects in connection with the case. Law enforcement officials have been careful to avoid speculation while the investigation proceeds. The thoroughness of the inquiry reflects both the mysterious nature of the death and the high-profile family connection involved.
Media Coverage and Family Privacy
As of October 14, 2025, neither Mitt Romney nor other family members have issued public statements regarding the tragic incident. The case highlights the delicate balance media outlets must maintain when reporting on personal tragedies affecting prominent political families. ABC News and local affiliates have provided consistent, factual reporting without sensationalism, focusing on verified information from law enforcement sources. This measured approach respects the family’s grieving process while keeping the public informed about the ongoing investigation.
The incident has minimal expected political ramifications given Mitt Romney’s recent retirement from the Senate, but it demonstrates how personal tragedies can thrust political families back into the public spotlight. Valencia’s suburban setting north of Los Angeles makes this case particularly unusual, as such incidents rarely occur in the area’s generally safe Town Center district.
Sources:
Mitt Romney’s sister-in-law Carrie Elizabeth Romney found dead in Santa Clarita
