New York police are working to confirm that a body found on a city beach is that of the award-winning Irish film-maker Ross McDonnell, who was last seen leaving his Brooklyn apartment on a bicycle early this month.
Although the body has not been officially identified, NBC law enforcement sources told the network the remains appeared to be those of McDonnell.
The 44-year-old, from Dublin, won an Emmy award for cinematography on the Showtime show The Trade, about fentanyl and human smuggling to the US from Mexico. Loved ones of McDonnell and admirers of his work posted a number of tributes to him on Tuesday, including one which said: “He faced down danger in his work to tell the stories of the less fortunate. He will be hugely missed.”
Ross was a hugely talented and humble human being. He enjoyed life and adventure. He never stopped smiling. He faced down danger in his work to tell the stories of the less fortunate. He will be hugely missed. 💔 https://t.co/KZiLscFmvI
— Nicola Tallant (@nicolatallantsw) November 21, 2023
New York police say they responded to a 911 call on Friday about a body lying in the sand at Breezy Point on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. McDonnnell’s bicycle and some clothes were later discovered nearby, NBC New York reported.
Police sources told news outlets they did not suspect foul play in the death and said there was no indication of suicide.
They said it was possible McDonnell went for a swim despite the cold water temperature, got caught in a rip current and drowned.
“We are deeply, deeply concerned,” a friend of McDonnell’s, Gene Gallerano, told NBC New York. “The mystery of it is takes an emotional toll. It’s very confusing and painful to not have any kind of answers for what happened.
“He’s a very good human being and he’s greatly missed right now.”
