The sudden death of Carrie Elizabeth Romney has brought attention to the complex personal and financial circumstances surrounding her estranged marriage to George Scott Romney, brother of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Carrie was found dead last Friday at the bottom of a five-story parking garage in Valencia, California, prompting an investigation that officials say currently shows no sign of foul play.
Divorce Filing and Property Transfers
Scott Romney separated from Carrie on May 25 and officially filed for divorce on June 10, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Court documents reveal that he sought to prevent the court from awarding Carrie any assets, claiming the couple had agreed to “mediate property and support” and that their assets were acquired individually prior to marriage.
Despite these claims, records show the couple had been living together in a $738,000 condominium in Valencia, which Scott purchased in November 2022.
In July 2024, he transferred ownership of the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property into the George Scott Romney Trust—a move that could potentially affect how the asset is treated during divorce proceedings.
Financial Background and Legal Complexities
Carrie, who had previously filed for bankruptcy in 2001, appeared to face financial struggles and had requested spousal support during the divorce process.
California law generally considers homes purchased during a marriage as communal property, subject to a 50/50 split in divorce, though placing assets in a trust can sometimes allow them to be treated as separate property.
The specific details of the George Scott Romney Trust are not publicly available, leaving questions about the condo’s legal status.
Life Together and Privacy
Scott and Carrie married on November 26, 2016. Neither had children together, and both had children from previous marriages.
The couple maintained a private life, rarely appearing in public together and avoiding social media.
Neighbors in Valencia described Carrie as “quiet” and “very nice,” noting that she had been living at the condo shortly before her death.
Family Background and Public Life
Scott Romney, now 84, has had a prominent role in his brother Mitt Romney’s political campaigns.
He is an attorney in Michigan and serves on multiple boards.
Mitt Romney, who has often highlighted his family values during his political career, expressed heartbreak over Carrie’s death, stating that she “brought warmth and love to all our lives.”
The Romneys are known for being a close-knit and competitive family, often holding large gatherings and family events, as chronicled by media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Investigation and Response
Carrie was found near a Valencia shopping mall and the Hyatt Regency Hotel at around 8:30 PM on Friday.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department indicated that it remains unclear whether her death was accidental or suicide, and the coroner’s office has deferred the cause of death pending toxicology results.
Both families have requested privacy during this difficult time.
Carrie’s attorney emphasized the need for respect for loved ones, while Scott’s attorney confirmed no public comment would be made on his behalf.
The Next Steps
As authorities continue their investigation, the circumstances surrounding Carrie Romney’s death, combined with the legal intricacies of the ongoing divorce, have left the public and the family grappling with questions and grief.
The case remains under review, and the community continues to mourn the loss of a woman remembered as quiet, kind, and private.