Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena were separated for four months before his death, reveals report
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Aubrey Plaza and her husband, Jeff Baena, were separated for four months before he was found dead by suicide, a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner claims.
As per the report obtained by People, it was confirmed that Plaza and Baena had separated in September 2024.
Report reveals Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena were separated for four months
According to the report, the screenwriter also texted his wife on the day he died. Jeff Baena was found dead on January 3, 2025.
The report also mentioned that Baena made "concerning remarks" to Plaza in October 2024 that "prompted her to call a friend to perform a welfare check on her husband", per the outlet.
Moreover, Baena started therapy after the welfare check, according to the report, which noted that he was "experiencing recent marital difficulties" with his wife before his death.
The report stated that Plaza also received a text from Baena on the morning of his death and noted that she "knew her husband to be alive” when he sent her the message.
Furthermore, a dog walker told investigators that she arrived at the director's Los Angeles home around 10:25 am on January 3 to walk his pet.
She said she found Baena’s body hanging from a staircase inside the home, per people.
The report noted, "She heard loud music from within the house, which was unusual. She yelled at [Baena] and received no response. [The dog walker] ran to retrieve the decedent’s dog and left the building to call 911."
Aubrey Plaza honors late husband Jeff Baena during 'SNL 50' special
Aubrey Plaza paid an emotional tribute to Jeff Baena during the 'Saturday Night Live 50: The Anniversary Special' on February 16.
Plaza was dressed in a black pantsuit and a colorful tie-dye shirt. Her choice of attire was a tribute to Jeff Baena, with whom she married during the Covid-19 quarantine.
Their intimate wedding during the quarantine was a reflection of their free-spirited personalities, as they wore tie-dye pajamas which were crafted by Baena himself.
The couple had collaborated on many film projects such as 'Spin Me Around', 'The Little Hours', and 'Life After Beth'.
Moreover, Plaza has often spoken highly of working alongside Baena and credited him for inspiring her and shaping her craft.
Baena expressed his gratitude for collaborating with Plaza in a 2022 interview. He said, “The opportunity to do something creative [together] where we’re both fulfilled — how rare is that?”
Jeff Baena reflected on mental health years before his tragic death
Jeff Baena reflected on how his family's history with mental health issues influenced his projects years before his death.
The director's 2020 Netflix film 'Horse Girl', co-written with Alison Brie, was deeply influenced by his family’s history with mental illness.
During a Reddit Ask Me Anything forum promoting the film, Baena revealed about watching his stepmother struggle with bipolar disorder and how those experiences shaped his work, per Daily Mail.
Baena wrote, "My first stepmom had manic depression and was in and out of facilities in Miami due to the Baker Act."
A Reddit user asked Baena how the concept of the movie began and he replied, "It's based on my family's history with mental illness, specifically my grandmother's schizophrenia, and my fear of that existing in my DNA."
Moreover, he described his stepmother’s treatment as a reflection of broader societal struggles to address mental health needs adequately, per the outlet.
He added, "While I would not consider "Horse Girl" to be an activist film, the themes of how we as a society and individuals treat persons with mental illness was a major focus and impetus for making this."
