Ross McDonnell disappeared without a trace on November 4, and since then police have been searching for the award-winning filmmaker and cameraman, who won one of the prestigious Emmys for the series “The Trade” in 2021. The documentary series from the channel “Showtime” deals with the deadly opioid crisis in the United States, but has not yet been broadcast in German-speaking countries. McDonnell was last seen by witnesses leaving his apartment in Brooklyn.
A few days later, the filmmaker’s bicycle was found on a beach in Queens – but the missing man remained missing. Now passersby found a torso on Breezy Point Beach. It was initially unclear whether it was a man or a woman. The NYPD said, “Identities will not be released until the family is notified.”
Investigators are now absolutely convinced: They believe the human torso is McDonnell’s body, as the New York Post reports. Accordingly, investigators are still awaiting the results of the DNA testing before making any statements. Officially, the identity of the deceased remains unknown. Furthermore, officials can only speculate about the cause of death as autopsy results are still pending.
Police believe McDonnell drowned. His body was mutilated in the ocean by waves, animals and sharp rocks before being washed ashore. A police spokesperson said, “With the turbulent current and rocks, this is nothing unusual.”
