Former Republican presidential nominee and senator Mitt Romney said his family is "heartbroken" after his sister-in-law, Carrie Elizabeth Romney, was found dead in Valencia, California, in a statement to PEOPLE on Monday (October 13).
"Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives," Romney said. "We ask for privacy during this difficult time."
Carrie, 64, was reportedly found dead at 8:30 p.m. local time last Friday (October 10). Authorities located her vehicle inside a parking garage near a Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Carrie was located on the street, however, it was "unknown at the moment" where she "jumped or fell" from the multi-story parking garage or another nearby building, Los Angeles County Deputy Brenda Serna said in an email to the New York Post. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office confirmed that Carrie died on Friday and her cause of death was listed as "deferred," which indicates that additional testing and an ongoing investigation are pending.
Carrie's body was, however, reportedly listed as "ready for release," according to PEOPLE. Authorities noted that foul play isn't expected to be involved, NBC Los Angeles reports.
Carrie was married to George Romney, 81, who goes by Scott, an attorney and the father of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, who he shared with his ex-wife Ronna Romney. Scott had reportedly filed for divorce on June 10 after eight years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences, and requested that Carrie, who was seeking spousal support, which he opposed, go back to using her maiden name, Carrie Elizabeth Dimas, moving forward, according to the Daily Mail.