Body Of Emerson Professor Found At Franklin Park

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — An Emerson College professor and filmmaker reported missing, was found dead Saturday in Franklin Park Saturday.

Robert Todd, 54, was reported missing Thursday. An online post from a family member asking people to help find him was shared more than 1,000 times by Saturday. His body was found in Franklin Park on Saturday, according to police.

Todd taught at the arts school for 18 years, Emerson College President Lee Pelton wrote in an note sent to the school community.

"Robert brought extraordinary talents, incredible vision and outstanding dedication to his art and to his teaching," Pelton wrote. "He inspired filmmakers of all ages at Emerson, giving generously of his time and energy to his fellow artists over the years."

Todd was professor and associate chair at the Department of Visual & Media and leaves behind by his wife Tessa Day, an artist, writer, and graduate student at the college, according to Pelton.

"This tragedy must come as a shock to many of you and I strongly encourage you to express your feelings and seeking counseling, Pelton wrote, adding that counseling would be available to students, alumni, or faculty members in the coming weeks.

Todd was an award-winning described as a lyrical filmmaker whose short works "resist categorization," according to the bio on the college website. In addition to Emerson, Todd taught film production at Boston College, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Art Institute of Boston, University of Massachusetts, and the Boston Film and Video Foundation.

He also worked as editor, sound designer/editor, post-supervisor or music producer on various award-winning broadcast and theatrically-released media programs.

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File photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff