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Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza had been living apart for four months before his untimely death, according to a report released by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The document, made public on March 19, confirms that the filmmaker and the "White Lotus" actress had separated in September 2024, with Plaza relocating to New York.
Authorities noted that Baena, 47, maintained contact with Plaza despite their separation. The report states that the screenwriter spoke with his wife on the night before his death. "The decedent had a phone conversation with his wife last night," the document reads. On January 3, officers contacted Plaza, who confirmed their separation.
Concerns about Baena's well-being had arisen months earlier. According to Lieutenant Kelsey Weber, in October 2024, Baena made "concerning remarks" to an undisclosed individual, prompting a welfare check. Following that incident, he began attending therapy. "Baena had been attending therapy since the event," Weber confirmed. The report also clarifies that while he had no prior suicide attempts, he had been struggling with sleep issues.
Baena's last known activity was a text message sent to Plaza on January 3 at 10:36 a.m. (unverified EST). Later that day, his assistant discovered him at his Los Angeles residence. The official cause of death was ruled as suicide.
Baena and Plaza had been partners for over a decade, collaborating on multiple film projects, including "Life After Beth" (2014) and "The Little Hours" (2017). Despite working together frequently, they were known for keeping their personal life out of the public eye. In a surprise revelation in 2021, Plaza disclosed that they had secretly married the previous year. "So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to Italia to cause some more trouble," she wrote in an Instagram post about his indie project "Spin Me Round."
Following Baena's passing, Plaza and his family released a joint statement. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time," the statement read.
Baena was widely respected in the film industry for his unique storytelling. He co-wrote the cult classic "I Heart Huckabees" with David O. Russell and directed several acclaimed indie films. His work left an indelible mark on the genre of dark comedy.
