Authorities pulled the body of Marquis Hill, a former LSU football
standout and New England Patriot, from Lake Ponchartrain this
afternoon, after he fell off a jet ski Sunday night.Hill's body was recovered around 2:15 p.m. He was taken by authorities to the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office.
Capt. Brian Clark of the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
said Hill was found by a drag net several hundred yards west of the
Industrial Canal. Hill was not wearing a life vest.New England teammate Randall Gay of Baton Rouge was at the scene when authorities found Hill. Gay also played with Hill at LSU.
Gay said practice resumes Thursday for the Patriots.
"I know it's going to be hard in that locker room seeing his locker,'' he said.
Around 10 a.m. today, Steve McManus of the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries said officials decided to focus on recovering
Hill's body after witnesses saw him go under the water without
resurfacing. Authorities were using information from family members to
determine Hill's exact location at the time he and a woman fell from
the craft, McManus said.The accident was reported about 9 p.m. Sunday after a man and woman
were reported falling into the water from a recreational craft. They
apparently were heading to the Seabrook boat launch. The Orleans Levee
Board Police said that a passing boat had briefly picked up the man,
but he jumped back in the water to look for the woman.The woman, who was rescued after a passerby heard someone calling
for help, had apparently grabbed onto a piling or other structure in
the lake. Hill, a New Orleans native who graduated from De La Salle High School,
has played in the NFL since 2004 and was a member of LSU's national
championship-winning 2003 Tigers.
This is a sad day for the Hill Family and everyone associated with the Patriots.
The Patriots released the following statements from chairman/CEO Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick regarding Marquise Hill:
Robert Kraft:
“We are absolutely heartbroken to learn of Marquise’s death. Our immediate thoughts go to Marquise’s mother, Sherry, and the rest of his family. He was only 24 years old and his death is hard to comprehend. Marquise was a very respectful young man who worked hard to improve and was always eager to contribute to the team, both on the field and in the community. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, we extend our most heartfelt sympathies to Marquise’s family and friends who mourn his loss.”Bill Belichick:
“We have suffered a stunning and tragic loss today. Marquise will be remembered as a thoughtful and caring young man who established himself as one of the year-round daily fixtures of our team. I send my deepest condolences to the Hill family.”
By all account Marquis hill was one of the Good guys. Such a shame for someone to pass so young.
My heart and Prayers go out to his Family.
Peace
Billyb
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