Gerrard Kaonga
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing
A new medical report has given fresh details on the passing of Jeff Baena and his mental state amid reports of a 'separation' from his wife, Aubrey Plaza.
Writer and filmmaker Jeff Baena was confirmed to have died by suicide at the age of 47 on January 3 of this year.
Baena was found at his Los Angeles home and pronounced dead at the scene, with police and fire officers soon visiting his home and investigating his death after one of his assistants discovered him.
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White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza, who had been married to Baena since 2020, released a brief statement following the announcement of his death.
A spokesperson at the time said: "The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time."
A recent Los Angeles medical examiner’s report has given more details about Baena’s wellbeing, as well as the relationship between the couple.
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The medical report, seen by US Weekly, stated "[Baena] was experiencing recent marital difficulties and was separated from his wife since September 2024."
Plaza had also reportedly grown concerned for Baena’s wellbeing as he made ‘concerning remarks’ in October, which prompted the actress to ask a friend to do a welfare check on her husband.
It added: "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."
According to the report, Plaza ‘last knew her husband to be alive when he sent her a text message’ on the morning of January 3, the day he was found deceased.
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The report also stated that no drugs were found in Baena’s system, and he did not leave a note.
Baena is survived by his mother, Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Banea and step siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
This comes after Plaza made her first surprise TV appearance since Baena's death.
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She appeared on Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary show and introduced musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard - but fans were quick to notice the tie-dye t-shirt she was wearing, which was a nod to her late husband as she previously revealed they enjoyed 'tie-dying things' together.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.