A human torso discovered on a beach in New York is thought to be that of a missing Irish filmmaker Ross McDonnell.
On Friday afternoon, New York police responded to a call from Breezy Point Beach in the southern tip of Queens that a human torso with legs attached was found. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
While the body has not been officially identified, NBC reports that the remains appear to be that of the Howth native and award-winning filmmaker who has been missing since earlier this month.
READ MORE: Concern grows for Irishman missing in New York after bike found at beach
The 44-year-old was last seen on November 4, when he left his apartment in Brooklyn on his bike, which was later found locked at Fort Tilden Beach on November 7, around three miles away from where the human remains were found following an extensive search which involved sniffer dogs.
According to a friend: “Ross had been doing loads of 'wild swimming' over the last year and one of his favourite spots was the Fort Tilden beach.”
Various reports have suggested that a personal tragedy is not suspected and that foul play has also been ruled out. It is thought that Ross may have gotten caught in the current while swimming and drowned.
The investigation by the NYPD is ongoing with a post-mortem to take place with the New York City medical examiner's office. Authorities are said to be awaiting the results of the DNA.
Ross is an award-winning director, cinematographer, photographer, producer and author who was nominated for an Emmy for the 2018 documentary, Elián.
He is also known for his work on The First Wave, which followed nurses, doctors, and administrators in a New York City hospital during Covid-19 as well as his first book Joyrider, in which he documented life in Ballymun over six years.
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