Autopsy confirms acute cardiorespiratory failure in death of cinematographer Witold Płóciennik

Forensic autopsy findings and cause of death

Forensic specialists in Gorzów Wielkopolski completed the autopsy of 56-year-old cinematographer Witold Płóciennik on 8 September 2026. The examination determined that the direct cause of death was acute cardiorespiratory failure. External and internal inspections of the body revealed no physical injuries, and medical examiners found no evidence suggesting third-party involvement or suicide. Analysis of postmortem changes and necrofauna indicated that the time of death likely coincided with the day he went missing in late August. Medical examiners collected tissue samples for microscopic laboratory tests to establish the underlying factors that triggered the fatal cardiac and respiratory collapse.

Only after obtaining the results of these tests will it be possible for the appointed expert to determine more precisely the cause of death of Witold P.

Multi-agency search operation in Lubuskie

Płóciennik disappeared on Saturday, 29 August 2026, in the resort town of Lubniewice, situated approximately 25 kilometres from Gorzów Wielkopolski. He was last seen in the vicinity of Lake Lubiąż, where he was staying while filming a new Polish production for Netflix. The Sulęcin County Police launched an extensive search operation on Monday, 31 August 2026, after the filmmaker failed to arrive on set. The search effort mobilized hundreds of personnel, including police officers, state and volunteer firefighters, soldiers, foresters, and water rescue teams from WOPR. Search crews deployed tracking dogs, police helicopters, thermal imaging drones, sonar equipment, and all-terrain vehicles to comb local woodlands and water bodies. On the afternoon of Thursday, 3 September 2026, search teams discovered his body in a wooded area near Lake Krzywe.

Formal inquiry under criminal procedure

Following the discovery of the body near Lake Krzywe, the Gorzów Wielkopolski District Prosecutor's Office opened a formal investigation. Investigators noted that the physical scene where the body was located presented no evidence of foul play or criminal activity. Prosecutors initiated the proceedings under Article 155 of the Polish Penal Code, a standard legal classification covering unintentional manslaughter, to facilitate forensic testing and expert appointments. The supervising prosecutor attended the autopsy in person and will determine subsequent procedural steps once the appointed medical examiner submits a final written report.

The circumstances established directly at the scene where the body was found did not indicate a criminal nature of the incident. However, to conduct a complete and substantive investigation, the prosecutor launched an investigation under Article 155 of the Penal Code and appointed a forensic medical expert.

Professional career in Polish cinema and television

Born on 4 January 1970 in Zielona Góra, Płóciennik studied cinematography and television production at the National Film School in Łódź, graduating in 2006. He became an active member of the Polish Cinematographers Association and built a widely recognized body of work across television drama and feature films. His credits behind the camera included television series such as Klangor, Kruk, and Idź przodem, bracie. He also served as the director of photography on acclaimed cinematic projects, including Ołowiane dzieci and the biographical film Ikar. Legenda Mietka Kosza. At the time of his disappearance, he was on location in Lubuskie voivodeship completing camera work for a television series.