ACTRESS Aubrey Plaza has given her first statement since the tragic death of her husband Jeff Baena at age 47.
Screenwriter and director Baena – who married the White Lotus star in 2021 – was found dead at their Los Angeles home on Friday.
Marking her first public comment on the sudden tragedy, a rep for the actress said: “This is an unimaginable tragedy.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Baena’s body was found by an assistant at the property, which the couple bought together in 2022, at 10.25am.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The U.S. Sun obtained the LA County Fire Department’s radio call which states it dispatched a unit “to a hanging” at the address in Los Feliz.
Los Angeles Police Department told The U.S. Sun: “We responded to a death Investigation and the case is being handled by the Coroner’s Office.”
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the screenwriter died by hanging.
Plaza’s statement came after she was forced to ditch her debut hosting role in the Golden Globes ceremony.
She was scheduled to help host the annual event but didn’t appear due to the sudden death of her long-time husband.
The acting world has spent the last few days mourning Baena who had impressed Hollywood with several well-liked films.
Award-winning director Brady Corbet made a touching statement in support of Baena’s loved ones after he took his own life on Friday aged just 47.
He was on stage receiving his award for Best Director for the film Brutalist when he said: “Finally, tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family – good night.”
The cameras then panned to Brutalist leading man Adrien Brody who was holding back tears.
Baena and Plaza – who starred in Parks and Recreation – wed more than four years ago after a decade together.
They kept both the engagement and marriage a secret before Plaza described Baena as her “darling husband” in a touching Instagram post in 2021.
Plaza told how “proud” she was of him in the post – their final together.
After Baena’s tragic death, his family have been left “devastated” by the sudden news and have asked for privacy, US outlet Deadline reported.
Baena’s devastated brother Brad told of his heartache after hearing the news.
Commenting on an Instagram post by the Baena’s pal Adam Pally, Brad wrote: “I am broken.”
Baena has left behind his wife, mum Barbra Stern, stepfather Roger Stern and stepmother Michele Baena.
He also has one brother in Brad and two step-siblings in Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
Baena was born and raised in Miami before he headed to New York to attend film school at university.
He then started his journey as a filmmaker in Los Angeles where he became a writer.
In 2004 he co-wrote the hit film I Heart Huckabees and worked with Hollywood elites Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law and Naomi Watts.
A decade later, he found his big solo break with the zombie flick 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 before its A24 release.
Plaza publicly praised her then-boyfriend for helping her cut through the film and TV industry.
She told People: “I think that when you’re with someone that is in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level.
“So obviously you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we’re both on.”
Baena’s career saw him be nominated for several awards for his writing and directorial skills.
He bagged himself a second Grand Jury Prize nomination in 2016 for Joshy.
His The Little Hours project from a year later was also put up for the Audience Award at the 2017 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The filmmaker also had a go at writing for TV with the Showtime series Cinema Toast which he created, wrote, directed and executive produced.
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It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun 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 vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re 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 the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Or in the UK the following organisations provide support:
