Police suspect that the human torso discovered on a Queens beach could be the remains of acclaimed Irish filmmaker and photographer Ross McDonnell, who went missing over a week ago, according to sources from The Post.
Authorities are awaiting the results of DNA tests before making an official announcement, as they believe McDonnell, a 44-year-old Emmy winner, may have drowned in turbulent waters. His body might have been affected by natural phenomena before washing up on Breezy Point Beach.
McDonnell, last seen leaving his Clinton Hill home on Nov. 4, may have been at Fort Tilden Beach later that night or early the next morning, according to a missing persons’ flyer. Gene Gallerano, McDonnell’s close friend, expressed the emotional toll of the week and mentioned that McDonnell’s disappearance was reported when he was last seen on Saturday night.
The discovery of McDonnell’s bike at the beach three days later raised concerns. On Friday, a 911 call reported a human torso with attached legs on the sand at the Queens beach. Details about the cause of death, age, and gender of the individual remain unclear.
Investigators are seeking McDonnell’s red puffy North Face vest, black and white sneakers, dark-colored khaki pants, and black North Face backpack for clues. McDonnell, a Dublin native, achieved recognition for his cinematography work on the Showtime series “The Trade,” earning an Emmy in 2021.
His debut feature film, “Colony,” received accolades, and he was shortlisted for the prestigious “Prix Pictet” photography award in 2019. McDonnell’s talent also earned him an Emmy nomination in 2018 for directing the documentary “Elian.” The investigation into his disappearance continues as friends and colleagues mourn the potential loss of the accomplished filmmaker.