A family member of former Utah Senator and two-time presidential candidate Mitt Romney was found dead in a mall parking garage in the Santa Clarita Valley Friday, according to multiple media reports.  

Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said deputies, as well as L.A. County Fire paramedics, responded to Valencia Town Center shopping mall, located at 24201 Valencia Boulevard in Valencia, around 8:30 p.m. 

Carrie Elizabeth Romney, Mitt’s sister-in-law, according to ABC News, was found dead inside the parking garage.  

Mitt Romney's sister-in-law found deadL.A. County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene of a death investigation involving former Utah Senator Mitt Romney’s sister-in-law at the Valencia Town Center parking garage on Oct. 10, 2025. (KNN News)Mitt Romney's sister-in-law found deadL.A. County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene of a death investigation involving former Utah Senator Mitt Romney’s sister-in-law at the Valencia Town Center parking garage on Oct. 10, 2025. (KNN News)Mitt Romney's sister-in-law found deadL.A. County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene of a death investigation involving former Utah Senator Mitt Romney’s sister-in-law at the Valencia Town Center parking garage on Oct. 10, 2025. (KNN News)WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 16: Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) speaks during the COVID Federal Response Hearing on Capitol Hill on June 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. The hearing was held to examine and update the ongoing Federal response to COVID-19, focusing on current status and future planning. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Investigators told KTLA that that 64-year-old either jumped or fell from the five-story parking structure but, as of now, foul play does not appear to be a factor.  

The L.A. County Medical Examiner’s report lists the exact cause of death as “deferred,” meaning that the investigation remains active and additional testing may have been requested. 


Unknown number of human remains found in desert junkyard in L.A. County

Deferred cases, the M.E.’s office has previously informed KTLA, can take several months before an exact cause of death is determined.  

No further information about the investigation was provided.

Mitt Romney sought the Republican nomination in 2008 but withdrew from the race after the primaries and endorsed the late Senator John McCain. In 2012, he secured the Republican nomination but lost the general election to former President Barack Obama.  

Suggest a Correction

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction