Aubrey Plaza was separated from her husband, the screenwriter and director Jeff Baena, when he died by suicide in January, according to multiple reports.
A medical examiner’s report first obtained by TMZ noted that the couple had been living apart since September 2024.
“She confirmed she had been separated from her husband Jeffrey Baena since September 2024,” the report reads, according to The Daily Mail. “In October 2024, Baena made concerning remarks to [Plaza] which prompted her to call a friend to perform a welfare check on her husband. Baena had been attending therapy since that event.”
An investigator quoted in the report said that Plaza spoke to her husband the night before he died. He also sent her a text the morning of his death. What Baena said remains unknown.
The report lists Baena’s official cause of death as suicide by hanging. On Jan. 3, he was found suspended from a staircase near the entrance of the couple’s Los Angeles home, the report says.
There was no suicide note, but the medical examiner said a cellphone was found on the staircase.
The report also states that there was no alcohol or drugs in Baena’s system when he died.
News of Baena’s death broke a day after his death. Early in the investigation, police said they believed his death to be self-inflicted. He was 47.
The report says that Baena was found by his dog walker, who arrived to the house around 10:25 a.m. The person is not named in the report.
“She heard loud music from within the house, which was unusual,” the report reads, according to the Mail. “[The dog walker] unlocked the front door and discovered the decedent hanging from the staircase inside the entrance.”
“She yelled at him and received no response,” it continues. “[The dog walker] ran to retrieve the decedent’s dog and left the building to call 911.”
Representatives for Plaza did not immediately return the Daily Beast’s request for comment.
A day after her husband’s death, Plaza issued the following statement: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
On Feb. 16, Plaza made her first public appearance since Baena’s death. She attended the star-studded Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary show. Plaza interned for the series from 2004 to 2005.
Plaza and Baena got married in 2021 after dating for more than a decade. Details of their marriage—and why they were separated—are unknown.
The couple often collaborated together on Baena’s films—including Life After Beth (2014), The Little Hours (2017), and Spin Me Round (2022).
Plaza revealed that the two had married in an Instagram post promoting Spin Me Round in 2022.
“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble 😈,” she wrote, “excited to be reunited with the amazing @alisonbrie (who also co-wrote this one!) and @theofficialsuperstar @sordociego @lauren_weedman and so many more fun people in this. Preparati!!”
Plaza and Baena largely kept their relationship private. In a 2022 interview with GQ, however, she hinted at the fact that their relationship was not always smooth-sailing.
“I’ve been with my husband for 12 years,” she said. “I relate to being in a relationship that has peaks and valleys, and going through a rough patch and comparing yourself to another couple that seems perfect.”
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988, or text SAVE to Crisis Text Line on 741741. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.
