Irish filmmaker Ross McDonnell, known for his Emmy-winning cinematography on "The Trade," has tragically passed away at the age of 44. McDonnell's family confirmed his death, more than a week after his body was reportedly discovered on a beach in New York City.

McDonnell's unexpected demise occurred on November 5th, as stated in a notice on RIP.ie. According to NBC News, the remains found on November 17th at Breezy Point Beach in Queens are believed to be those of the acclaimed filmmaker.

The police were alerted to the discovery of a torso with attached human legs lying on the sand by a 911 call. McDonnell had been missing for several weeks, with his last sighting on November 4th as he left his apartment in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on his bicycle. His bicycle was later found locked at Fort Tilden Beach in Queens, adjacent to Breezy Point.

While the cause of death is yet to be determined by the New York City medical examiner's office, sources reported by NBC suggest that no foul play or suicide is suspected. It is believed that McDonnell may have gone for a swim and drowned after being caught in a strong current. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are collaborating with the Irish consulate while awaiting DNA results.

Originally hailing from Dublin, Ross McDonnell achieved recognition for his work on Showtime's documentary series "The Trade," which earned him an Emmy for his outstanding cinematography. Prior to his success in the film industry, McDonnell started as a photographer and then transitioned into directing with his debut feature, "Colony," co-directed with Carter Gunn. This film secured the IDFA First Feature Award following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Throughout his career, McDonnell worked as a director, producer, and cinematographer on various projects, ranging from commercials to feature films. He received an Emmy nomination for his production work on "Elián," a documentary produced for CNN Films, BBC, and Jigsaw Productions. Additionally, McDonnell obtained the Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary Emmy for "The First Wave," directed by Matthew Heineman.

The passing of Ross McDonnell is a deeply saddening loss to the film community, as he was known for his immense talent behind the camera. His dedication to capturing powerful stories and shedding light on important issues through his work will be sorely missed.