Mitt Romney Speaks Out After Sister-in-Law Carrie Is Found Dead Near L.A. Parking Garage

Former Republican presidential nominee and Sen. Mitt Romney is speaking out after the death of his sister-in-law Carrie Romney.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Romney shared that his family is “heartbroken” by Carrie’s death.

“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives,” the statement reads. “We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to PEOPLE that 64-year-old Carrie Elizabeth Romney was found dead in a parking lot in Valencia, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 10.

As previously reported by PEOPLE, homicide investigators arrived on the scene around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, where they identified Carrie’s body in the lot located in the 24500 block of Town Center Drive.

The agency shared that the investigation into Carrie Romney’s death is currently ongoing, and that her cause of death will be “determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s Office.”

Earlier Monday, a representative for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department confirmed to PEOPLE that a woman jumped or fell from a nearby parking structure. According to NBC Los Angeles, the garage is five stories and located next to a Hyatt Regency hotel.

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office records confirm that Carrie died on Friday. Her cause of death is listed as deferred as of Monday, Oct. 13, which means it is pending additional investigation. Her body status is listed as “ready for release.”

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PEOPLE reached out to the medical examiner’s office for more information.