Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, sister-in-law of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, died after falling from a parking structure in Santa Clarita, California, according to new reports.
The incident occurred at a five-story parking garage located near an apartment complex in the southern California city.
Authorities discovered Romney’s body after she fell from the rooftop level of the structure.
Surveillance footage captured Romney spending a considerable amount of time walking back and forth on the parking garage’s roof before the fatal incident, according to the Daily Mail.
The footage showed her falling from a seated position, officials said.
Investigators found a written note inside Romney’s vehicle at the scene. The contents of the note have not been publicly disclosed.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Romney’s death.
Officials determined the cause of death resulted from blunt-force injuries sustained in the fall.
Following their examination, the medical examiner officially classified the death as a suicide.
The ruling came after reviewing all available evidence, including the surveillance footage and materials found at the scene.
Toxicology testing performed as part of the standard investigation revealed the presence of benzodiazepine alprazolam in Romney’s system at the time of her death. Alprazolam is commonly prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders.
Romney was married to George Scott Romney, 81, the older brother of Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee.
George Scott Romney is the eldest son of the late George W. Romney, who served as Michigan’s governor and ran for president in 1968.
The couple had been navigating a contentious divorce in the months leading up to Carrie Romney’s death.
Court records show the proceedings were marked by significant disputes between the two parties.
The Romneys filed for divorce after eight years of marriage.
Legal documents submitted to the court cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for ending their union.
During the divorce proceedings, both Carrie and George Scott Romney took steps to protect their individual financial interests.
Court filings reveal each party attempted to prevent the other from accessing or receiving any portion of their respective assets.
Resist the Mainstream previously reported that the parking garage was attached to an upscale apartment complex in the Valencia area.
First responders arrived at the scene following reports of a person down, but Carrie Romney was pronounced dead.
Adding complexity to the messy divorce situation, both Carrie and George Romney were residing in the same Valencia condominium despite the ongoing divorce proceedings.
The property, valued at $725,000, became a point of contention in their legal battle.
