Aubrey Plaza has publicly addressed the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Jeff Baena, describing it as “an unimaginable tragedy.” This poignant statement reflects the deep sorrow felt by Plaza and the Baena/Stern family during this incredibly challenging time. In her message, she expressed immense gratitude for the support received from friends, fans, and the community. She also requested privacy as they navigate through this painful period, highlighting the importance of respect for their personal space and emotional healing.

Tragically, just two days after the untimely passing of the acclaimed writer and director Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza shared a heartfelt statement reflecting on the profound loss. The statement, which has been attributed to Plaza and the Baena/Stern family, poignantly states: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.” This heartfelt message underscores the emotional toll of such a loss and the importance of community support during difficult times.

On January 3rd, Baena was discovered deceased in a residence located in Los Angeles. The L.A. County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that the cause of death was suicide. Baena was only 47 years old at the time of his passing, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and collaboration that profoundly impacted the film industry and those who knew him.

Jeff Baena began his remarkable career in the entertainment industry, initially working as a production assistant for the legendary director Robert Zemeckis. He later took on the role of assistant editor for acclaimed filmmaker David O. Russell. Following a minor car accident that resulted in an eye injury, Russell encouraged Baena to pursue his passion for writing. Reflecting on their collaboration, Baena said, “He was super-generous, creatively. He allowed me to advocate for any ideas that were in conflict with his ideas.” Their mutual respect and creative synergy led to the successful collaboration on the film I Heart Huckabees, marking a significant milestone in Baena’s career.

Baena eventually made his directorial debut with the unique zombie comedy Life After Beth, which starred his future wife, Aubrey Plaza. Following this initial success, he went on to write and direct a variety of films, including Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl, and Spin Me Round. Additionally, he created the innovative anthology series Cinema Toast, which provided audiences with fresh narratives using re-edited, re-scored, and re-dubbed performances from public domain films.

Aubrey Plaza has previously shared how their shared careers in the entertainment industry fostered a deeper understanding between them. She stated, “Obviously, you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we’re both on. But, you know, working with your partner can always be challenging.” In her 2019 remarks, she emphasized the importance of balance, noting, “One of the great things about our careers is that we are forced to be independent, take little breaks, go off and do our things and come back. So it’s kind of fun. Nothing is ever the same. You don’t want to spend too much time apart. But I think that there’s a way that it can work and there’s a balance in that.”

Suicide is preventable, and support is available through various resources. For immediate assistance, you can find a list of helplines here, and additional information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health can be found here. If you’re in need of further support, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or connect with Lifeline via text.