Jeff Baena texted estranged wife Aubrey Plaza 3 hours before he was found dead by suicide in his Los Angeles home

Months after his death, new details about Jeff Baena’s relationship with his wife, Aubrey Plaza, have emerged. According to multiple outlets, a recent LA County medical examiner's report has revealed that the couple was separated for almost four months before the screenwriter-director's demise.

The Scott Pilgrim vs. the World actress also told authorities that she received a text from her estranged spouse three hours before he passed away. Aubrey Plaza reportedly got a message from Jeff Baena at 10:36 am ET / 07:36 am PT on January 3. Police also revealed that the night before his death, Baena had spoken to the Parks and Recreation actress over the phone.

Aubrey and Jeff had parted ways in September last year, and she had moved to New York. Per the recent medical examiner’s report, first published by People, the 40-year-old actress had asked a friend to “perform a welfare check on” Baena in October after he made “concerning remarks.” Three days after he passed away, Baena’s family and Plaza issued a statement and asked for privacy,

“This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”

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Aubrey Plaza’s late husband, Jeff Baena, was found dead at his LA home by the dog walker

Three hours after the director texted his estranged wife, he was found dead at his house in Los Angeles. The medical examiner’s report revealed that it was the dog walker who first discovered Baena’s body. She reportedly arrived at Jeff’s house around 1:25 p.m. ET / 10:25 a.m. PT to walk his dog. The report states:

“She [the dog walker] heard loud music from within the house, which was unusual. She yelled at [Jeff Baena] and received no response. [She] ran to retrieve the decedent’s dog and left the building to call 911.”

Jeff’s body was found hanging from a staircase, but authorities did not find a suicide note. He was pronounced dead at 1:39 p.m. ET / 10:39 a.m. PT. Officials ruled out foul play, and his death was treated as a suicide.

“Jeff is survived by his wife, Aubrey Plaza; parents, Barbara Stern (Roger) and Scott Baena (Michele); brother, Brad (Ivette); step-sister Bianca Gabay (Maurice); step-brother Jed Fluxman (Nicole); nephews Jake Baena and Leo Fluxman; nieces Brielle Baena, Ava and Olivia Gabay," it continues. "Jeff joins his beloved Stevie.”

Baena and Plaza started dating in 2011 and officially married in 2021. That same year, during her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress fondly talked about her husband’s hobby of tie-dyeing:

“Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine, so I decided that Jeff and I were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that he had made for us…”

After his death, she appeared on the SNL 50th Anniversary Special and seemingly honored Jeff by donning a tie-dye shirt.