Film director Jeff Baena tragically died by suicide, authorities have confirmed.
The 47-year-old – who was married to White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza – was found dead in their Los Angeles home on Friday.
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Baena married actress Plaza in 2021 and is known for independent films such as Life After Beth, Joshy, and The Little Hours.
The US Sun obtained a radio call from the Los Angeles County Fire Department saying they had sent a unit to a “hang” at the address in Los Feliz.
His body was found by an assistant at the property, which the couple bought together in 2022, at 10.25am.
Baena was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We have responded to the death investigation and the coroner's office is handling the case,” the Los Angeles Police Department told the US Sun.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the screenwriter died by hanging.
Deadline reported that his family was “devastated” by the sudden news and asked for privacy.
Baena and Plaza — who starred in Parks and Recreation — have been married for more than four years after a decade together.
They kept the engagement and marriage secret before Plaza described Baena as her “beloved husband” in a touching Instagram post in 2021.
She told Plaza how “proud” she was of him in that position — their last meeting together.
Baena was born and raised in Miami before heading to New York to attend film school at the university.
He then began his journey as a film director in Los Angeles where he became a writer.
In 2004 he co-wrote the hit film I heart Huckabees He worked with Hollywood elite Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law and Naomi Watts.
A decade later, he found his big solo break with the zombie film Life After Beth which starred his eventual wife Plaza as well as comedy star John C. Reilly.
The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize prior to its A24 release.
Plaza publicly praised her then-boyfriend for helping her break into the film and television industry.
“I think when you're with someone in your industry, they understand what you're dealing with on a deeper level,” she told People magazine.
“So obviously you're able to support each other and understand what kind of journey we're on together.”
Baena's career has seen him nominated for numerous awards for his writing and directing skills.
He received a second Grand Jury Prize nomination in 2016 for Joshy.
His project The Little Hours a year later was also up for the Audience Award at the 2017 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The director has also written for television with the Showtime Cinema Toast series, which he created, wrote, directed and executive produced.
Baena leaves behind his wife, his mother, Barbara Stern, his stepfather, Roger Stern, and his stepmother, Michelle Baena.
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You are not alone
Suicide does not constitute discrimination, it touches the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders, doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It is the biggest killer of people under 35, deadlier than cancer and car accidents.
Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women.
Yet it's rarely talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice now.
That's why The Sun has launched the 'You're Not Alone' campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all pledge to ask for help when we need it, and to listen to others… You are not alone.
In the US, if you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat at 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741 .
Or in the UK the following organizations provide support:
