Body of former LSU football standout HIll found in Lake Pontchartrain
Select photo:
Video
AP: Hill's body found
| Related Video |
 AP: Hill's body found
The body of New England Patriots player and former LSU standout Marquise Hill was found Monday, a state official said, a day after he was reported missing following a jet ski accident.
|
 |
 |
Print
Email
Save
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
NEW ORLEANS — The body of New England Patriots player Marquise Hill was found today, 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 U.S. 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 2003 BCS 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 this morning, was rescued and sent to Tulane University 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 in 2005 helping family members rebuild their homes.
Hill, listed on the Patriots’ roster at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, played in four games last season and was on the inactive list for the others, including postseason games.
He played three seasons at LSU before passing on a senior year to play in the NFL. He started 24 of 38 games at right defensive end for LSU, finishing with 117 tackles (67 solo) with 10 sacks for 75 yards, 19.5 tackles for losses of 106 yards, 36 quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, an interception and nine deflections.
He was part of a talented class of true freshmen who helped LSU win the 2001 Southeastern Conference championship and end the season with a 47-34 victory over Illinois in the Sugar Bowl. Hill raised eyebrows by running downfield to cover an Illinois receiver from the line of scrimmage, showing unusual speed and range for a big man.
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 U.S. 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 2003 BCS 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 this morning, was rescued and sent to Tulane University 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 in 2005 helping family members rebuild their homes.
Hill, listed on the Patriots’ roster at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, played in four games last season and was on the inactive list for the others, including postseason games.
He played three seasons at LSU before passing on a senior year to play in the NFL. He started 24 of 38 games at right defensive end for LSU, finishing with 117 tackles (67 solo) with 10 sacks for 75 yards, 19.5 tackles for losses of 106 yards, 36 quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, an interception and nine deflections.
He was part of a talented class of true freshmen who helped LSU win the 2001 Southeastern Conference championship and end the season with a 47-34 victory over Illinois in the Sugar Bowl. Hill raised eyebrows by running downfield to cover an Illinois receiver from the line of scrimmage, showing unusual speed and range for a big man.
| ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
