Aubrey Plaza lost her husband, Jeff Baena, in January. However, reports say that they had been separated for months leading up to this difficult time.
The couple’s relationship started in 2011, and they got married ten years later. However, several recently surfaced sources have shed light on the state of their relationship before Baena’s passing.
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena: Their Relationship in the Months Leading Up to His Death
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena had been living apart for four months before the director’s passing on January 3, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the document states that Baena moved to New York after he and Plaza separated in September.
According to the report, Baena had made “concerning remarks,” which led the 40-year-old actress to ask a friend to check on his well-being.
The Medical Examiner’s report also indicated that Baena had been in therapy following that incident, per Entertainment Weekly.
The night before the filmmaker’s passing, Plaza told officers that she had spoken with him on the phone and received a text message from him at 7:30 AM PT on January 3.
His dog walker later discovered his body, and he was pronounced dead at 10:30 AM PT. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be suicide.
Plaza told officers that this was the first time her husband had attempted to take his own life. No alcohol, drugs, or suicide note was found near Baena or in his system.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which offers free, 24/7 support.
How Did Aubrey Plaza Respond to Her Husband Jeff Baena’s Passing?
Baena’s passing at 47 was sudden, and it took Plaza a few days before she and his family released a statement addressing their loss.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time,” the statement read.
Plaza, known for her role in Parks and Recreation, met the indie director in 2011 and began dating privately. They only made their relationship public when they married in May 2021.
Baena and Plaza were also creative partners, collaborating on projects such as Joshy, The Little Hours, and Spin Me Round. The Agatha All Along star previously told PEOPLE that they also created the TV series Cinema Toast together during the pandemic.
The couple kept their relationship largely private, sharing only a few glimpses of their life together online despite being active on social media.
On January 13, however, Plaza reportedly deleted her Instagram. Five million of her followers were surprised to find the message, “Sorry, this page isn’t available,” when checking her account.
The actress mourned in private until February 16, when she made her first public appearance at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary celebration.
Many noticed that she wore a tie-dye shirt under her jacket, a tribute to her husband, as they had both worn tie-dye pajamas when they married.
Fans were surprised but relieved to see her at the SNL event, appreciating the quiet way she let them know she was coping in the midst of her loss.
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