Details Emerge Regarding Jeff Baena’s Death and Separation from Aubrey Plaza
New details surrounding the death of director Jeff Baena have surfaced, revealing his separation from actress Aubrey Plaza months prior to his passing in Los Angeles, as confirmed by DailyMail.com.
An autopsy report, released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, indicates that Plaza and Baena had separated in September 2024.
Baena, 47, was discovered deceased on January 3rd at their former residence in Los Angeles, where he continued to reside following the separation. Plaza had relocated to New York subsequent to their separation.
A dog walker contacted emergency services after finding Baena’s body, which the report states was a result of death by hanging.
Separation Preceded Baena’s Death
According to an investigator’s account, Plaza, whose name was removed from the official document, communicated with Baena the evening before his death.
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“She verified her separation from Jeffrey Baena since September 2024,” the investigator noted. “In October 2024, Baena conveyed concerning statements to [Plaza], prompting her to request a welfare check by a friend. Baena had been undergoing therapy since that occurrence.”
Autopsy Findings
The autopsy report indicated that Baena’s system showed no presence of alcohol or illicit substances.
Investigators did not discover a suicide note; however, a mobile phone was located on the upper staircase.
No Prior Suicide Attempts, History of Insomnia
While Baena had no documented history of suicide attempts, the report mentioned a history of sleep difficulties.
Plaza reportedly communicated with Baena via text message on the morning of his death, confirming he was alive at that time.
The dog walker, whose identity was also redacted, informed investigators of her arrival at approximately 10:25 a.m. on January 3rd for her routine dog walk.
“She reported hearing loud music emanating from the house, which she considered unusual,” the investigator stated. “She called out to him [Baena] but received no response. [The dog walker] then retrieved the dog and exited the premises to contact 911.”
Statement from Aubrey Plaza’s Representative
In a brief statement provided to DailyMail, a representative for Plaza, 40, expressed, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone for their outpouring of support. We kindly request privacy during this difficult period.”
Jeff Baena’s Career Highlights
Baena embarked on his film career after graduating with a film degree from New York University, subsequently moving to Los Angeles.
He gained experience in entry-level positions under prominent directors Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell, serving as a production assistant for Zemeckis and an assistant editor for Russell.
Baena’s directorial credits include:
- Life After Beth (directorial debut, starring Aubrey Plaza)
- The Little Hours
He also co-wrote I Heart Huckabees, which received a 2004 Gotham Award nomination for Best Feature.
Life After Beth premiered at Sundance in 2014, and his film Joshy also premiered at the festival, earning a Grand Jury Prize nomination.
Additional film credits include Horse Girl and Spin Me Round.
Television Work and Personal Life
In television, Baena directed and executive produced the Showtime series Cinema Toast, co-directing with Plaza.
He and Plaza secretly married in 2020, nearly a decade after their initial meeting, maintaining a largely private relationship.
Plaza has not issued a public statement regarding Baena’s death beyond the statement released by her representative.
Her last Instagram post featuring Baena conveyed her ‘pride’ in him.