Executive summary: Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, died by suicide in October, with authorities recently disclosing that she left a handwritten suicide note tucked inside a Book of Mormon and had the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in her system at the time of her death. This revelation comes from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report, which detailed the circumstances surrounding her tragic end.
Carrie Romney, 64, was found unresponsive on a street in Valencia, California, on a Friday evening in October, having fallen from the rooftop of a five-story parking structure adjacent to a shopping mall. The medical examiner determined that she suffered blunt traumatic injuries from the plunge, and the death was ruled a suicide. Surveillance footage captured her pacing on the top level of the garage for an extended period before the incident, indicating a period of distress prior to her final actions.
Investigators discovered a Book of Mormon on the front passenger seat of her vehicle, with a handwritten suicide note placed in its final pages. The note, along with medications found in the car, pointed to premeditation. Additionally, toxicology tests revealed that Carrie had 6.3 ng/mL of Xanax in her system, a medication commonly used for anxiety disorders, which she had a history of struggling with according to family reports.
Carrie had a documented history of suicidal ideation and had previously attempted to take her own life two years earlier by driving her car off a cliff. Her husband, George Scott Romney—Mitt Romney’s older brother—had reported her missing to authorities and informed them of her past struggles with anxiety. At the time of her death, the couple was in the midst of a divorce, with Scott filing for dissolution in June citing irreconcilable differences after separating in May.
The couple married in 2016, and it was Scott’s fourth marriage, while Carrie was seeking spousal support and requested to revert to her maiden name, Carrie Elizabeth Dimas, in the divorce proceedings. They had no children together and maintained a private relationship, rarely appearing in public or on social media. Scott Romney, an 84-year-old attorney and politician, is the father of former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel from a previous marriage.
Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and Utah senator, issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the loss, noting that Carrie brought warmth and love to the family. The Romney family is known for its closeness, with annual gatherings and a competitive spirit, often highlighted during Mitt’s political campaigns. Scott was particularly visible during Mitt’s 2012 presidential run, assisting with fundraising and public appearances.
The incident underscores the personal tragedies that can affect public figures’ families, bringing attention to mental health issues and the pressures of high-profile lives. While foul play was not suspected, the detailed medical examiner’s report provides closure on the circumstances, emphasizing the importance of support systems for those battling anxiety and depression. Carrie’s death serves as a somber reminder of the silent struggles many face, even within well-known families.
In the aftermath, the Romney family continues to grieve privately, with no further public statements anticipated. The release of the autopsy details has prompted discussions on mental health awareness, particularly in the context of divorce and aging, but the focus remains on the personal loss endured by those close to Carrie.
