Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Aubrey Plaza has spoken out for the first time following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, on Friday (3 January).
Baena, 47, who had been married to Plaza since May 2021, and was said to have been discovered at his home in Los Angeles last week.
The LA County Medical Examiner's Office has since confirmed that the film director had died by suicide.
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In a joint statement given to The Independent, Plaza and the Baena/Stern family stated: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.
"Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Providing an update on the situation, a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department said (via The Daily Mail): "Death was determined for an approximately 47-year old male, no transport."
The Los Angeles Police Department also published a statement about the screenwriter's death, saying: "We responded to the 2100 block of Fern Dale Place for a death investigation. Officers responded for a male decedent."
Immediately following the news, Plaza's representatives said in a statement to Deadline: "The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time."
Baena is best known for his work on films such as The Little Hours, Life After Beth and Joshy.
Plaza and Baena were said to have been in a relationship from 2011 to 2021 before tying the knot in private. The pair worked together on Spin Me Round, The Little Hours, and Life After Beth.
Speaking on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the White Lotus star revealed they'd gotten married at their home by an officiant from a website called 'OneHourMarriage.com' during the pandemic.
She said: "I can’t remember a lot of it, it was fuzzy. But I’m pretty sure it’s legal."
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.
At the Golden Globes on Sunday (5 January), The Brutalist director Brady Corbet paid tribute to Baena during his Best Director win.
Signing off, he said: "Finally, tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff's family - good night."
LADbible Group has 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: Aubrey Plaza, Film, Entertainment, Celebrity
Joshua Nair