Aubrey Plaza and husband Jeff Baena had been separated months before his tragic death
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena had been separated for months before his tragic death by suicide in January. According to a Medical Examiner's report, the couple was navigating marital struggles prior to the tragedy.
Aubrey Plaza and her husband, Jeff Baena, had been separated for several months before the filmmaker’s tragic death in January 2025. The couple, who married in 2021 after a decade of being together, had reportedly been facing marital difficulties prior to Baena’s passing. A recent Medical Examiner's report, obtained by TMZ, sheds new light on their relationship in the months leading up to the tragedy, revealing that Plaza and Baena had been living apart since September 2024.
Despite the separation, the couple maintained communication, with Plaza reportedly speaking to Baena on the phone just hours before his death. According to the same report, the 47-year-old director sent a final text to his wife before taking his own life. The news has shaken fans and the Hollywood community, as the pair's relationship had once seemed stable, making the revelation of their struggles all the more poignant.
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Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena’s separation prior to his suicide
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena, who had been together for a decade before tying the knot in 2021, were facing significant marital challenges before Baena’s death. According to a report obtained by TMZ from the Medical Examiner, the couple had separated months before the tragedy struck, with Plaza moving to New York in September 2024. This separation came as a result of growing tensions, although the couple had remained in touch, even speaking the night before Baena's death.
Authorities revealed that Plaza received a text message from Baena just hours before his tragic passing. This final communication adds to the emotional complexity of their relationship, making the loss even more poignant for Plaza and Baena’s close friends and family.
Jeff Baena's tragic death: details from the Medical Examiner’s report
Jeff Baena, the director of Spin Me Round, was found dead on January 3, 2025, at his Los Angeles home. According to the Medical Examiner’s report, Baena's body was discovered by his dog walker, who entered the house after hearing loud music coming from inside. Baena, who was 47 years old, died by suicide, and the news of his passing shocked his loved ones and the entertainment world alike.
Three days after his death, Aubrey Plaza and Baena’s family issued a joint statement addressing the tragic event. The statement expressed their grief over the loss, with family members speaking about Baena’s impact and legacy and ask for privacy to grieve.
Aubrey Plaza honors Jeff Baena at ‘SNL 50’ Special with personal tribute
Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance since the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special on February 16, 2025. The 40-year-old actress appeared on stage during the three-hour celebration of the show’s milestone, which aired on NBC and Peacock. Plaza, who had been mourning the loss of her husband after his tragic death by suicide on January 3, 2025, honored his memory in a meaningful way during the event.
Aubrey Plaza pays tribute to late husband Jeff Baena at the 'SNL 50' special with a tie-dye t-shirt. Photo: The New York Post
Plaza wore a tie-dye shirt, which held special significance for the couple. As she previously shared on The Drew Barrymore Show, Baena had become passionate about tie-dyeing during the pandemic, and the couple had even worn tie-dye pajamas at their wedding. This subtle yet powerful gesture at the SNL special was a poignant reminder of the deep connection between the actress and her late husband.
