Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Los Angeles' County Medical Examiner's Office has revealed Jeff Baena's cause of death was suicide.
The 47-year-old, who married actress Aubrey Plaza in May 2021, was reportedly discovered at his home in Los Angeles on Friday morning (3 January) at around 10.30am.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to PEOPLE magazine.
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The LA County Medical Examiner's Office has since shared an update on the case, confirming that Baena died by suicide.
"Death was determined for an approximately 47-year old male, no transport." a statement from the Los Angeles' Fire Department said (via the Daily Mail).
The Los Angeles Police Department also issued a statement regarding Baena's passing.
"We responded to the 2100 block of Fern Dale Place for a death investigation," it said. "Officers responded for a male decedent."
Baena is survived by his wife Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, father Scott Baena, stepfather Roger Stern and his stepmother Michele Baena.
He is also a brother to Brad Baena, and step-siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
A statement to Deadline from Plaza's representatives said: "'The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time."
Plaza's Life After Beth co-star, Dane DeHaan, shared a tribute to Baena on Instagram after the tragic news broke.
Sharing a black-and-white picture of Baena, the actor simply wrote: "Jeff Baena. 1977-2015."
The filmmaker is best known for his work on movies including The Little Hours, Life After Beth and Joshy.
He was also known for his numerous writing and directing credits, such as his work on Spin Me Round and I Heart Huckabees.
Miami-born Baena studied film at New York University before later moving to Los Angeles.
Baena and Plaza have kept their relationship mostly private, with fans only realising they had got hitched after the White Lotus star referred to Baena as her 'husband' in an Instagram post.
She wrote alongside a post shared in 2021: "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!!"
Plaza later told GQ in November 2022 that the pair had tied the knot in a low-key ceremony.
The couple have worked together on numerous titles, including Cinema Toast in which Plaza made her directorial debut.
Plaza has since spoken about what it was like to work with her husband on the series.
“It was very hectic while we were making the show because we were quarantined and Jeff, he created the show; it was his idea,” Plaza told PEOPLE in 2021.
“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.”
LADbible Group has previously reached out to Baena and Plaza's reps for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Aubrey Plaza
Olivia Burke