On Friday, January 3rd, Baena’s body was found by an assistant, with emergency services arriving around 10:30 a.m. to confirm his death at the scene.
A statement from Plaza’s representative reads: “The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time.”
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified Baena’s death as a suicide at the Los Feliz home he shared with Plaza.
The Los Angeles Fire Department provided a statement to the Daily Mail: “Death was determined for an approximately 47-year-old male, no transport.”
The Los Angeles Police Department also stated: “We responded to the 2100 block of Fern Dale Place for a death investigation. Officers responded for a male decedent.”
Baena, originally from Miami, Florida, studied film at New York University before relocating to Los Angeles to further his career in the film industry.
He directed six films, beginning with “Life After Beth” in 2014, a movie he also wrote, as he did for all his directed films.
This 2014 zombie comedy featured his wife, Aubrey Plaza, whom he had been dating for several years at the time.
In May 2021, Plaza confirmed their marriage by referring to him as her husband in an Instagram post, revealing that they had a small wedding in 2020.
Her Instagram post read: “So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble, 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!!”
The couple collaborated on several projects, including “Cinema Toast,” which marked Plaza’s debut as a director.
Plaza commented to PEOPLE in 2021: “It was very hectic while we were making the show because we were quarantined and Jeff, he created the show; it was his idea.”
“Our house became this strange post-production facility and he’s downstairs on his Zooms or on his sessions and I’m upstairs editing, we’re just going back and forth,” she added.
Baena leaves behind his mother, Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Banea, and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, support is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line is also accessible by texting MHA to 741741.
If you have experienced a bereavement and need confidential support, contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010.