Marquis Hill, a football player for the New England Patriots, drowned in Lake Pontchartrain today after he and an unidentified female companion were involved in a jet ski accident. Either were wearing life vests. The companion managed to hold on, but Hill's body was discovered close to the scene of the accident.

"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 and on coroner Frank Minyard's cell phone were not immediately returned.

"We are all shocked," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement.

Source