Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Aubrey Plaza has spoken out for the first time following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, on Friday (3 January).
In a joint statement given via The Independent, Plaza and the Baena/Stern family stated: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
The statement came after Plaza missed out on her presenting duties during Sunday night’s 82nd Golden Globes in Los Angeles.
Plaza was announced as a presenter of the awards in a news release on Friday.
Baena, 47, had been married to Plaza since May 2021, and was said to have been discovered at his home in Los Angeles last week.
Providing an update on the case, the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the film director died by suicide.
“Death was determined for an approximately 47-year old male, no transport.” a statement from the Los Angeles’ Fire Department stated, via the Daily Mail.
The Los Angeles Police Department also published a statement about the screenwriter’s death, saying: “We responded to the 2100 block of Fern Dale Place for a death investigation,
“Officers responded for a male decedent.”
Immediately following the news, Plaza’s representatives said in a statement to Deadline: “The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time.”
Baena is best known for his work on films such as The Little Hours, Life After Beth and Joshy.
Plaza and Baena were reported to have been together from 2011 to 2021, before tying the knot.
The pair worked together on Spin Me Round, The Little Hours, and Life After Beth.
Baena is survived by his wife Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, father Scott Baena, stepfather Roger Stern and his stepmother Michele Baena.
He is also a brother to Brad Baena, and step-siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
Plaza may not have been at the awards over the weekend, but The Brutalist director Brady Corbet named her and her late husband as Best Director.
Signing off, he said: “Finally, tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family – good night.”
Celebrities could be seen getting emotional as the camera panned across the crowd, with The Brutalist lead actor Adrien Brody, 51, holding back tears.
LADbible Group has reached out to Baena and Plaza’s reps for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
