New York police find body on beach in search of missing Irish filmmaker | new York

New York police are working to confirm that a body found on a city beach is that of award-winning Irish filmmaker Ross McDonnell, who was last seen leaving his Brooklyn apartment on a bicycle earlier this month.

Although the body has not been officially identified, NBC law enforcement sources told the station that the remains appear to be those of McDonnell.

The 44-year-old, from Dublin, won an Emmy Award for photography for the Showtime show The Trade, about fentanyl and human trafficking to the United States from Mexico. McDonnell’s loved ones and admirers of his work paid a number of tributes to him Tuesday, including one that said: “He faced danger in his work to tell the stories of the less fortunate.” He will be greatly missed.

New York police said they responded to a 911 call Friday about a body lying in the sand at Breezy Point on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. McDonnnell’s bike and some clothing were later discovered nearby, NBC New York reported.

Police sources told media they did not suspect foul play in the death and said there was no indication of suicide.

They said it was possible McDonnell went swimming despite the cold water temperature, got caught in a rip current and drowned.

“We are deeply, deeply concerned,” McDonnell’s friend Gene Gallerano told NBC New York. “The mystery of it has an emotional impact. It is very confusing and painful to not have answers to what happened.

“He’s a very good human being and we miss him a lot right now.”