Shocking Revelation About Aubrey Plaza’s Marriage Surfaces After Husband’s Tragic Death

Newly released details about the death of filmmaker Jeff Baena, husband of actress Aubrey Plaza, have shed light on the couple’s private struggles.

Baena, best known for directing indie hits like "Life After Beth" and "The Little Hours," was found deceased in his Los Angeles home on January 3. His dog walker, who had arrived for her usual visit, was the first to discover something was off. She noted that loud music was playing inside, an unusual occurrence. Upon letting herself in, she found Jeff Baena unresponsive and immediately contacted authorities.

Now, new documents have revealed that the possible reason Aubrey Plaza was not home at the time is because the couple had been separated for months before his passing.

According to a Medical Examiner’s report obtained by TMZ, Baena and Plaza had been living apart since September 2024, with Plaza relocating to New York. The report confirmed Baena’s death was ruled a suicide, consistent with initial law enforcement statements.

Police records indicate that Baena spoke with Plaza on the phone the night before his death. Officers later contacted Plaza, who confirmed their separation and disclosed that Baena had previously made concerning remarks in October 2024. Concerned for his well-being at the time, Plaza asked a friend to check on him. She also revealed that he was attending therapy but had no known history of suicide attempts.

The Medical Examiner’s findings state that Baena was pronounced dead at 10:39 AM PT on January 3. Plaza reportedly last heard from him that same morning at 7:36 AM PT when he texted her. No illicit substances or alcohol were found in his system, and no suicide note was discovered.

Plaza and Baena first started dating in 2011 and married in 2021. Despite keeping much of their relationship out of the spotlight, Plaza occasionally shared affectionate glimpses into their life together.

During a 2021 appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show," she described their wedding as spontaneous, saying, "The marriage was just like a joke that honestly went too far. We got married on a whim. Literally decided at around 5 p.m. and got married at 8:30."

She also shared quirky details of their unconventional nuptials, revealing that Baena had tie-dyed their wedding outfits himself.

"Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during quarantine, so I decided that we were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that Jeff had made for us," she said. "I had my little rosemary crown and a love altar in the backyard of all of our love objects. It was very witch-core, but it happened."

Aubrey Plaza is receiving an outpouring of love and support following her first public appearance since the tragic passing of her husband, Jeff Baena. The actress, who has been mourning the devastating loss, was praised for her resilience and strength as she took the stage at the "Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary" special.

Plaza introduced a musical performance by Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard during the milestone event, marking her first major public moment since Baena’s death on January 3, 2025, which was ruled a suicide.

Her appearance came as a surprise to many, and a short clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) by @CinemaBurst quickly sparked an emotional reaction from fans.

“Aubrey Plaza’s surprise appearance was the emotional lift we all needed! Welcome back, Aubrey!” one fan wrote. Another shared, “Aubrey’s return was such a pleasant surprise; we missed her energy.”

Many recognized how significant it was for Plaza to attend such a major event so soon after her personal loss. “I’m so glad she was brave enough to come out for this, especially with how meaningful this show is to her,” one person commented.

Others highlighted the emotional weight of the moment, with one noting, “Aubrey Plaza’s surprise appearance was the perfect pick-me-up after such a tragedy. So glad to see her back and shining with Miley and Brittany at 'SNL50'!”

Baena, born June 29, 1977, in Miami, Florida, built a respected career in independent cinema, known for his genre-blending storytelling and sharp wit.

He started in Hollywood as an assistant to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis before making his mark as a co-writer on "I Heart Huckabees" (2004) alongside David O. Russell. His directorial debut, "Life After Beth" (2014), starred Plaza and Dane DeHaan in a unique zombie romantic comedy.

Over the years, Baena continued to carve a niche in dark comedies and psychological dramas, directing "Joshy" (2016), "The Little Hours" (2017), "Horse Girl" (2020), and "Spin Me Round "(2022). His collaborations frequently featured Plaza, as well as stars like Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Molly Shannon.

Plaza has yet to publicly comment on the latest findings surrounding Baena’s passing.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support, 24/7.