The cause of death of director Jeff Baena, who is the husband of Aubrey Plaza, has been confirmed.
Baena, who was best known for helming independent films such as Life After Beth and The Little Hours, which his wife starred in, was found dead at a Los Angeles residence on Friday (January 3).
A cause of death was not shared at the time for the 47-year-old but a medical examiner has now ruled that he died by suicide, according to Sky News. The examiner also said that his body will now be released to his family.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed it attended the residence where Baena died and said a coroner will lead the investigation.
Jeff Baena at the Seattle Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre on April 15, 2022 CREDIT: Mat Hayward/Getty Images
Baena and Plaza started their relationship in 2011 and married quietly in 2020, before announcing it to the public the following year. They also collaborated on the 2016 comedy drama Joshy.
Plaza had been announced as a presenter at tonight’s (January 5) Golden Globes ceremony earlier this week before her husband’s death but it is unclear at this stage whether she will make an appearance.
Baena’s other directing credits include Horse Girl, a 2020 psychological drama, and Spin Me Round, a 2022 dark comedy that was to be his final feature. Both films starred Alison Brie in the lead role.
He graduated from film school at NYU and began as a production assistant for Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis. He then began to work alongside David O. Russell, with whom he went on to co-write the independent black comedy I Heart Huckabees in 2004, gaining him his first major success.
Baena is survived by Plaza, as well as his mother Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena and his brother Brad Baena.
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