Aubrey Plaza Seen In Public As Secret Surfaces After Husband’s Tragic Death

During a quiet outing in Los Angeles this week, Aubrey Plaza was seen keeping a low profile.

The sighting came just days after news emerged that Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena had secretly separated months before his unexpected death by suicide at the age of 47.

Dressed in a hoodie, a white baseball cap, and oversized sunglasses, the 40-year-old actress appeared somber as she walked alone through the city, as seen in photos obtained by Daily Mail.

She stepped out solo nearly a week after being seen hiking in Los Angeles’ iconic Griffith Park with Tyler Davidson, the co-producer of her 2022 crime thriller "Emily The Criminal." Her beloved rescue dog, Frankie, was also along for the walk.

Plaza recently made her first public appearance since Baena’s death at the "Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary" special. The actress introduced a musical performance by Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard, earning praise for her poise and courage in the wake of unimaginable grief.

A Medical Examiner’s report obtained by TMZ confirmed that Plaza and Banea had been living apart since September 2024, with Plaza relocating to New York. The report also ruled Baena’s cause of death as suicide, aligning with initial law enforcement statements.

According to police records, Baena and Plaza spoke on the phone the night before his passing. Officers later contacted Plaza, who confirmed their recent separation and disclosed that Baena had made troubling remarks in October 2024.

Concerned for his mental health at the time, Plaza had asked a friend to check in on him. She also shared that Baena was in therapy but had no documented history of suicide attempts.

Baena was pronounced dead at 10:39 AM PT on January 3, 2025. Plaza reportedly last heard from him at 7:36 AM that same morning when he sent her a text. The Medical Examiner’s report noted that no illicit substances or alcohol were found in his system, and no suicide note was discovered.

Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011 and tied the knot in 2021, maintaining a mostly private relationship over the years. However, Plaza occasionally offered glimpses into their life together.

During a 2021 appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show," she described their marriage as spontaneous and unconventional:

"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 revealed whimsical details about their ceremony, including that Baena had personally tie-dyed their wedding outfits.

"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."

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

He began his Hollywood journey as an assistant to director Robert Zemeckis before gaining recognition as the co-writer of "I Heart Huckabees" alongside David O. Russell. Baena made his directorial debut with "Life After Beth," a uniquely twisted zombie romantic comedy starring Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan.

Throughout his career, Baena continued to carve out a distinctive space in dark comedies and psychological dramas, directing acclaimed indie films such as "Joshy," "The Little Hours," "Horse Girl," and "Spin Me Round." His frequent collaborators included Plaza, as well as Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Molly Shannon.

As she continues to mourn, Plaza has received an outpouring of love and support from fans and friends alike, recognizing her strength as she navigates life after such a profound loss.

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.