NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ The body of New England Patriots player
Marquise Hill was found Monday, a state official said, a day after
he was reported missing following a jet ski accident on Lake
Pontchartrain.
Hill's body was discovered by searchers about a quarter-mile
from where the former LSU star and a female companion were involved
in the accident, Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Department said.
``The family will have to make positive identification," Clark
said, ``but the body we found was that of Mr. Marquise Hill."
The Coast Guard was called Sunday night, Petty Officer Tom
Atkeson said. The search began immediately, using boats and
helicopters.
By the time the body was found, the Coast Guard, Wildlife and
Fisheries, the New Orleans Police Department and Jefferson Parish
Sheriff's Department were involved, Clark said.
Hill's body was taken to the Orleans Parish Coroner's office,
but phone messages left there were not immediately returned.
Hill's agent, Albert Elias, said he had been told Hill and a
young woman were jetskiing Sunday in the lake when both of them
went into the water, which had a strong current. Elias said the
woman was able to make it to a pylon and hang on until she was
rescued, while Hill was last seen floating away from the scene.
Hill played on LSU's national championship team and was a
second-round draft pick by New England in 2004.
``We are all shocked," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a
statement.
The woman, whose identity was not available Monday morning, was
rescued and sent to Tulane Medical Center where she told them Hill
had tried to keep her calm as the two were drifting away from each
other.
Neither Hill nor the woman wore a life preserver, Atkeson said.
``It's so important to have a life jacket and a signaling
device," Atkeson said. ``One keeps you afloat and the other helps
us find you."
Elias said Hill, a defensive end, spent much of his time since
Hurricane Katrina helping family members rebuild their homes.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV-05-28-07 1705EDT
