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Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza separated months prior to Baena's suicide: Medical examiner

7:31
Actors and musicians we said goodbye to in 2024
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, FILE
ByMason Leib and Angeline Jane Bernabe
March 19, 2025, 11:54 PM

Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza had been separated for several months prior to Baena's suicide death, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Baena and Plaza had been separated since September 2024, the report said.

The 47-year-old was discovered in his home by an assistant on Jan. 3, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to ABC News at the time.

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In this May 21, 2016, file photo, Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza attend an event in Silverlake, Calif.
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, FILE

The county medical examiner confirmed that Baena died by suicide.

At the time of his death, Plaza and Baena's family released a statement and called it "an unimaginable tragedy."

"We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support," the statement said. "Please respect our privacy during this time."

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Baena was best known for directing the horror-comedy "Life After Beth," the dark comedy "Joshy" and for co-writing the cult classic "I Heart Huckabees" with filmmaker David O. Russell.

He and Plaza had been married since 2021 and frequently worked together on projects, with Plaza starring in several of Baena's films, including "Life After Beth," "The Little Hours" and "Spin Me Round."

"Good Morning America" has reached out to Plaza's reps for comment.

If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

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