A sister-in-law of former Sen. Mitt Romney was found dead near a Los Angeles-area parking garage last week.

Carrie Romney, 64, died Friday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office says in its online records, though her cause of death is listed as deferred pending further investigation.

Officers found Ms. Romney on the ground near a five-story parking garage at a mall in Santa Clarita, California, at around 8:30 p.m. Friday, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Daniel Vizcarra told the Daily Mail.

Investigators also found Ms. Romney’s car inside the garage and said foul play is not suspected in her death.

Detectives believe she jumped or fell off the structure, spokeswoman Nicole Nishida, also of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, told the Los Angeles Times. 

Mr. Romney, who was the Republicans’ 2012 presidential nominee, said in a statement to People that “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.”

Ms. Romney separated from her husband, George Scott Romney, in May prior to his filing for divorce in June, according to the Daily Mail.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.