US actress Aubrey Plaza and the family of her husband Jeff Baena have described his death as an “unimaginable tragedy”.
Director and screenwriter Baena died on Friday at the age of 47. The Los Angeles County medical examiner gave the cause of death as suicide.
The director and screenwriter was found at a home close to the Fern Dell Nature Trail near the Hollywood Hills.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” a statement given to the PA news agency said.
I Heart Huckabees
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.
“Please respect our privacy during this time.”
The statement was attributed to Plaza and the Baena/Stern family.
Baena’s surviving family includes his mother Barbara Stern and stepfather Roger Stern; father Scott and stepmother Michele Baena; brother Brad Baena; stepsister Bianca Gabay and stepbrother Jed Fluxman.
Baena, best known for films The Little Hours, Life After Beth and Joshy, married Plaza in 2021.
He graduated from New York University with a degree in film before moving to Los Angeles to pursue directing.
He worked in production under filmmakers Robert Zemeckis and David O Russell (he co-wrote I Heart Huckabees with the latter), before breaking away to make his own films.
Baena made his directorial debut in 2014 with the release of the zombie comedy film Life After Beth, which featured Plaza.
The pair would go on to collaborate on several projects.
The actress is best known for starring in hit US TV series The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation.
She had been announced as a presenter at Sunday’s Golden Globes ceremony earlier this week before her husband’s death but was obviously not present.
The Brutalist filmmaker Brady Corbet used his acceptance speech after winning best director for a motion picture drama to offer his condolences.
“My heart is with Aubrey Plaza, and Jeff’s family,” he said on stage.
