Jeff Baena, a screenwriter and film director, was found deceased at his residence in Los Angeles on January 3.
The 47-year-old was discovered by an assistant who promptly contacted emergency services, with officers later confirming his death at the scene.
The Los Angeles Fire Department provided a statement to the Mail Online: “Death was determined for an approximately 47-year-old male, no transport.”
The Los Angeles Police Department also noted: “We responded to the 2100 block of Fern Dale Place for a death investigation. Officers responded for a male decedent.”
On January 4, a county medical examiner confirmed Baena’s death was by suicide. His family, including his wife, actress Aubrey Plaza, have since spoken about his passing.
Plaza and the Baena/Stern family issued a joint statement to The Independent, stating: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.”
“Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Plaza and Baena began their relationship in 2011 and married a decade later in 2021. The Parks and Recreation star shared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that year how they decided to marry spontaneously during the coronavirus lockdown using a ‘one-hour marriage’ site.
Plaza recounted: “I just said, ‘Hey, it’s our 10-year anniversary. We should do something, get an ice cream cone and do something special.’”
She continued: “And then I joked about getting married, and he was like, ‘Well, we probably couldn’t get married that fast.’ And I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to get married on our actual anniversary?’ And then I Googled it and I found onehourmarriage.com.”
Plaza and Baena collaborated on several projects, with Plaza featuring in Baena’s latest film, Spin Me Round (2022).
During the Golden Globes on Sunday, Brady Corbet, director of The Brutalist, acknowledged Plaza and Baena in his acceptance speech.
He remarked: “Tonight, my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family.”
LADbible Group has reached out to representatives for Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena for comments.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, support is available through Mental Health America by calling or texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line is also accessible by texting MHA to 741741.
For those who have faced bereavement and wish to talk to someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010.