A routine morning near a Southern California apartment complex ended in tragedy, as new details emerged surrounding the death of a woman connected to one of America’s most prominent political families.
According to the New York Post, Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, died after falling from the top level of a five-story parking garage in Santa Clarita. She was 64.
According to a report, Romney fell “backwards from a seated position” from the rooftop of the garage.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed her pacing on the roof for an “extended period of time” before the fall. Investigators later discovered a note inside her car.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Romney’s death a suicide, determining the cause as blunt-force injuries sustained in the fall. A toxicology report indicated she tested positive for benzodiazepine alprazolam, according to the Daily Mail.
Romney was married to George Scott Romney, the 81-year-old older brother of Mitt Romney. In the months leading up to her death, the couple had been locked in a contentious divorce after eight years of marriage.
Court filings show the pair cited “irreconcilable differences” when they initiated divorce proceedings. The split quickly turned bitter, with each side attempting to block the other from receiving assets as the legal process unfolded.
The divorce case was still pending at the time of Carrie Romney’s death, adding another layer of complexity to an already painful situation for the family.
Authorities have not released additional details about the contents of the note found in her vehicle, and no further information has been made public regarding the events immediately preceding the incident.
The Romney family has not issued a public statement regarding her death.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
