In a tragic turn of events, Aubrey Plaza reached out to a friend to perform a welfare check on her husband, Jeff Baena, shortly before his untimely passing in October 2024. Reports from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner have shed light on the circumstances leading up to the writer and director's death by suicide at the age of 47. According to these reports, Baena had made “concerning remarks” to Plaza, which prompted her to seek assistance.
During this period, it was noted that Plaza and Baena were facing significant challenges in their marriage, resulting in a separation that lasted for four months starting in September 2024. Despite the difficulties, their lines of communication remained open, which is crucial in maintaining a connection during tough times. On January 3, just hours before his tragic death at their Los Angeles residence, Baena sent Plaza a text message that signified their ongoing relationship.
Aubrey Plaza has often spoken about the unique dynamics of her relationship with Jeff Baena. In a 2019 interview with People, she emphasized the importance of independence in their careers, stating, “I think that one of the great things about our careers is that we are forced to be independent, take little breaks, go off and do our things and come back.” Plaza highlighted that while being apart could be challenging, they had found a balance that worked for them.
Since Baena's passing, Plaza has made few public appearances, emphasizing the weight of her loss. She was scheduled to attend the Golden Globes that week, but chose to forgo the ceremony due to the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. During the awards show, director Brady Corbet paid tribute to Baena in his acceptance speech, expressing, “Tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family.”
In February, Plaza made a notable appearance on the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special, where she introduced a performance. Observant fans noted that she wore a tie-dye shirt, a sentimental nod to Baena’s newfound hobby during the pandemic. The couple had famously donned self-made tie-dye outfits during their wedding in 2021, a testament to their playful and creative bond. As Plaza recounted on The Drew Barrymore Show, “Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine.”
In the wake of Baena’s tragic death, a heartfelt statement was released on behalf of Aubrey Plaza and the Baena and Stern families. It expressed the profound sorrow felt by those close to him, stating, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
The heartbreaking journey of Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena serves as a reminder of the complexities of love and mental health. As fans and loved ones mourn, Plaza’s strength in navigating this difficult period continues to resonate with many.
