American screenwriter and film director Jeff Baena was best known for his production of the films Life After Death, The Little Hours, and Joshy, as well as his marriage to actress, comedian, and producer Aubrey Plaza, famous for her role in Parks and Recreation as April. On January 3rd, 2025, the 47-year-old committed suicide and tragically passed away.
Baena’s funeral was held on January 10th, 2025 in Miami. An obituary for the filmmaker was published in the Miami Herald. It described Baena as a “beloved son, husband, brother, uncle, and friend to many.” According to The New York Post, “‘Jeff left us too soon but despite his woefully too-short life, he left us with treasured memories of a gifted filmmaker, as well as a very special person on so many different levels.’”
Baena was found in his home in Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner pronounced his cause of death as suicide. Baena is survived by his wife Aubrey, parents Barbara Stern and Scott Baena, and his brother Brad Baena. Aubrey has since requested privacy, commenting, “‘This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.” Aubrey has also deactivated her Instagram account and had relayed the release of her husband’s cause of death until recently (New York Post).
Katie Kuhe, a sophomore at Ramapo High School and an avid watcher of Parks and Recreation, comments, “This is such a heartbreaking tragedy. I feel terrible for Aubrey and her entire family. Rest in peace.” Bella Levison, a junior at Ramapo High School, shared in Kuhe’s sympathy for the family of the deceased: “This is such an unimaginable heartbreak. I can’t imagine what his family is going through right now.”
We offer our condolences to the entire Baena family and hope the media will continue to respect Aubrey’s request for privacy.
