'Brought warmth to our lives': Mitt Romney's sister-in-law passes away; found dead in parking lot

The sister-in-law of former US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has passed away, Romney confirmed.

Carrie Elizabeth Romney died on October 10. She was 64.

“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time,” a spokesperson for Mitt Romney told PEOPLE magazine.

Carrie Elizabeth Romney’s body was found in a Los Angeles parking lot.

“Law enforcement responded at about 8:30 pm (local time) in the 24500 block of Town Center Drive in a Valencia parking garage. A woman ‘jumped or fell’ from the parking structure,” a Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s representative said.

Although the representative did not mention the woman’s name, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Carrie Romney died on Friday. Her place of death is listed only as “street.”

The cause of death is currently listed as “deferred,” meaning further investigation is required. Her body status is noted as “ready for release.”

Mitt Romney, a former Republican senator from Utah, served as the 70th governor of Massachusetts from January 2003 to January 2007. He sought the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 2008 but later endorsed John McCain, who lost to Democrat Barack Obama. Romney won the ticket in 2012 but was defeated by Obama.