need to know
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department has determined the cause of death of Kelly Elizabeth Romney, the late sister-in-law of former U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney.
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Carrie died after falling from a California parking lot on October 10
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Mitt said in a statement at the time that his family was “heartbroken” by her death
The cause of death of Kelly Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, has been determined.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner (DME) said on Tuesday, December 9, that they determined that Carrie died from blunt force trauma. She was injured on October 10 after falling from the roof of a parking garage in Valencia, California. The DME also stated that Carrie’s death was a suicide. She is 64 years old.
A rep for Mitt, 78, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies previously told PEOPLE that law enforcement was called to the Valencia parking lot in the 24500 block of Town Center Drive around 8:30 p.m. PT on the night of Carrie’s death, where they identified her body.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies told People magazine that a woman jumped or fell from the parking lot, which is five stories high near the Hyatt Regency Hotel, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Shortly after Kelly’s death, Mitte said in a statement shared with People, “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Kelly, who brought warmth and love to our lives. We ask for your privacy during this difficult time.”
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Mitt Romney speaks at a Lansing Community College campaign event on May 8, 2012 in Lansing, Michigan
Months before Kelly’s death, her husband, George “Scott” Romney (Mitt’s brother), filed for divorce, according to court documents obtained by People.
Documents show that Scott, 84, filed for divorce from his third wife, Carrie, on June 10. The document cited May 25 as the couple’s separation date and cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their separation.
In his filing, Scott asked a judge to cancel potential spousal support for himself and Carrie during the divorce proceedings or at any time in the future. He noted that “most of the parties’ assets and debts are separate property and were accumulated before the marriage.”
Carrie told the court she would no longer use Romney’s last name after the divorce. Kelly’s attorney, Paulina Markey, confirmed to People that the divorce had not been finalized at the time of Kelly’s death.
“This is an extremely difficult time for Ms. Romney’s loved ones, and the family asks for privacy as they grieve. Our deepest condolences are with them during this time,” she said in a statement.
Scott’s attorney, Karen L. Goldman, previously told People magazine, “My client has not authorized me to make any comments to the media during this difficult and tragic time.”
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Scott and Carrie married on November 16, 2016 and have no children. Scott was married to his first wife, Ronna Romney, from 1967 to 1992, and to his second wife, Sheri Jelalian, from 2011 to 2016.
Scott is the father of seven children from his previous marriage. One of his children is former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
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