The heartbreaking news of Aubrey Plaza's husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, has left fans and peers in shock. Baena, who married Plaza in 2021 after a decade-long relationship, reportedly died by suicide at his Los Angeles home, as confirmed by TMZ. While many have offered condolences and uplifting messages, others have sparked outrage with tasteless comments online.
Following the news, Plaza's latest Instagram post-a holiday card captioned with "Merry Witchmas and Haggy Holidays"-turned into a virtual memorial wall. Fans flooded the comments with messages of support, such as, "Sending you strength during this difficult time," and, "My prayers are with you."
However, a darker side of social media emerged as some users made inappropriate jokes about Plaza being single again. A viral tweet condemned these remarks, stating, "People making 'Aubrey Plaza is single again' jokes are the most unfunny people you'll ever come across." Another tweet highlighted the lack of empathy, adding, "Zero empathy. And I'm supposed to care about a male loneliness epidemic? Yeah, okay."
A private love story brought to light
Plaza and Baena, known for keeping their relationship largely out of the spotlight, first started dating in 2011. In a 2021 interview, Plaza shared lighthearted details about their intimate backyard wedding, blending humor with glimpses of their bond. The couple also collaborated professionally on projects like Life After Beth and Spin Me Round, showcasing a creative partnership alongside their personal connection.
Baena's passing has brought a wave of tributes, with many recalling his contributions to independent cinema and his understated presence in Hollywood. His last film, Spin Me Round (2022), marked another milestone in his career as both director and collaborator with Plaza.
A call for empathy amidst tragedy
As social media continues to amplify both support and insensitivity, many fans urge others to approach the situation with compassion. Plaza, who has yet to address the news publicly, faces immense grief in the wake of this tragedy.
The ongoing discourse serves as a reminder of the responsibility users have when engaging online. In times of loss, empathy and respect should take precedence over inappropriate humor or judgment.