Aubrey Plaza became concerned about her estranged husband's welfare months before his death, a medical examiner has said. Director Jeff Baena died aged 47 in January, with the Los Angeles County medical examiner concluding he took his own life.
He worked with Parks And Recreation star Plaza, 40, on the 2014 horror film Life After Beth and 2017 historical comedy The Little Hours. Plaza separated from Baena in September 2024, the report by Philip Kim, Los Angeles County Coroner Investigator, says.
"In October 2024, Baena made concerning remarks which prompted her to call a friend to perform a welfare check on her husband," the report says. "Baena had been attending therapy since that event. According to (an unnamed person) Baena did not have any previous suicide attempts. He had a history of difficulty sleeping."
The examiner said Plaza "last knew her husband to be alive when he sent her a text message" on the morning of January 3, the date of his death. The director and screenwriter was found by a dog walker at a home close to the Fern Dell Nature Trail near the Hollywood Hills, with the cause of his death determined as hanging.
Another person, unnamed in the report, said that Plaza moved to New York following their separation. Plaza previously issued a statement along with his family, calling it an "unimaginable tragedy", and saying they were "deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support".
She had been in a relationship with him since around 2011 and they married a decade later, with Plaza telling The Ellen DeGeneres Show in December 2021 that they made the decision to tie the knot after getting "a little bored one night" during the Covid pandemic.
Plaza was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2023 for her role in the second series of HBO dark comedy White Lotus and is also known for Disney+ series Agatha All Along. She has also starred in Hollywood films including Megalopolis, My Old Ass, Ingrid Goes West, Dirty Grandpa and Emily The Criminal.
Baena wrote 2020 thriller Horse Girl, starring Alison Brie, and 2022 dark comedy Spin Me Round, both of which he also directed, as well as 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees starring Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman and Mark Wahlberg.
He also created the anthology comedy series Cinema Toast, which had an episode directed by Plaza and another starring Community actress Brie.
Last month, Plaza appeared on the 50th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live (SNL), introducing musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard, who performed a cover of late Irish singer Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares 2 U.
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Where to get help if you're struggling
You don't have to suffer in silence if you're struggling with your mental health. Here are some groups you can contact when you need help.
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org in confidence
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won't show up on your bill
PAPYRUS: For teens and young adults. Phone 0800 068 4141
Depression Alliance: The charity offers useful resources for people struggling.
Students Against Depression: For students who are depressed, have low mood, or are suicidal.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Phone 0800 58 58 58. For young men who are feeling unhappy.
James' Place: Offering life-saving treatment to suicidal men in London and surrounding area.
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