Ghanaian musician and caregiver Joseph Owusu, aged 24, was found dead in Brooklyn, New York. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured two people, not yet identified, unloading a bag believed to contain his body onto a quiet street.
His family and the Ghanaian embassy identified him as the victim.
Who Joseph Owusu was#
Owusu was an organist who practised for hours at his local church. He also regularly led choral arrangements when needed.
Outside music, he worked as a caregiver supporting people living with disabilities. People who knew him described him as dedicated and said he had earned the respect and affection of those around him.
Police response#
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), emergency responders were dispatched to a location in Brooklyn on October 30 after reports of an unresponsive individual. Officers pronounced the young man dead at the scene.
Police did not publicly identify the deceased in their initial briefings. His family and diplomatic representatives later confirmed that he was Owusu.
What the surveillance footage shows#
- Early morning: a vehicle pulled up along a quiet street, and two people got out.
- One appeared to struggle as they pulled a heavy bag from the trunk and dragged it onto the sidewalk.
- Hours later: a scrap metal collector was seen placing the bag onto a dolly and moving it away.
Investigation and family appeal#
As of Friday, November 6, police had made no arrests. Detectives continued to examine surveillance footage and pursue leads into the circumstances of his death.
Owusu’s relatives in Ghana said they were struggling to come to terms with the loss. They have appealed to the public for any information that could help investigators identify those responsible and establish what happened. A fundraising campaign has also been launched to support the family.
