Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena Separated Months Before His Death

LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2025 — Actress Aubrey Plaza and filmmaker Jeff Baena were navigating marital strife before Baena’s tragic death by suicide in January, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The couple, who married in May 2021 after a decade of dating, separated months prior to his passing.

The couple formally split in September 2024 when Plaza moved to New York. A month later, Baena made concerning comments that prompted Plaza to request a welfare check from a friend, noting his recent emotional distress. This led to Baena attending therapy sessions to address their ongoing marital difficulties.

Baena, 47, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on January 3, shortly after sending a text to Plaza at 10:36 a.m. ET. His dog walker discovered his body after hearing loud music coming from inside the residence, which authorities later described as unusual.

In a joint statement issued by Plaza and Baena’s family following his death, they expressed, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”

Plaza made her first public appearance since the tragedy at Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary special in February, wearing a black blazer over a tie-dye shirt. This attire served as a nod to a spontaneous moment shared with Baena when they got married in tie-dye outfits.

Baena, known for his work on films such as *I Heart Huckabees* (2004) and *Life After Beth* (2014), had been involved in several creative projects throughout his career. He and Plaza collaborated on multiple occasions, with her having leading roles in many of his films.

Baena’s recent film *Spin Me Round* was released in 2022. The two began dating in 2011 and had a close, creative relationship. Plaza once described their relationship dynamic, saying, “I think that one of the great things about our careers is that we are forced to be independent, take little breaks… Nothing is ever the same.”

In the wake of Baena’s passing, numerous friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry offered their condolences and shared memories of him online, illustrating the profound impact he had on those around him.

Aubrey Plaza has yet to comment on Baena’s death publicly, although she has expressed her gratitude for the support she and Baena’s family have received amidst the heartbreaking circumstances.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or you can text “STRENGTH” to 741741 for support.