REPORT(Fox News)-Body of Pat's DE Marquise Hill Found

[WoodysGirl]

PFT Spin

POSTED 8:50 p.m. EDT, May 28, 2007

HILL'S BODY IS FOUND

Various media outlets are reporting that the body of Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill has been found in Lake Pontchartrain on Monday, a day after he fell off of a jet ski while not wearing a life jacket.

"The family will have to make positive identification," said Captain Ryan Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department, "but the body we found was that of Mr. Marquise Hill."

"We have suffered a stunning and tragic loss today," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "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."

"We are absolutely heartbroken to learn of Marquise's death," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. "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."

"It's shocking," said Patriots cornerback Randall Gay, who played with HIll at Louisiana State, and who was at the scene when officials recovered Hill from the lake. "This is going to be hard for a lot of people."

Tom Curran of NBCSports.com writes that, ironically, Hill aspired to open a funeral home after his playing career ended. "I'm from the murder capital of the world, so what better business is there to be in? They're dying to see me,'' Hill told Curran. ‘"Everybody's got to go. Why not send them out the right way? I’ve seen death all my life. It's nothing to be afraid of. The ones living are the ones you have to worry about.''

Curran covered the Patriots for the Providence Journal before joining NBC. In an e-mail to us on Monday, Curran described Hill as a "really, really funny, nice kid."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hill's family, friends, and teammates.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

May God Bless his family and friends.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Yeah even if you can swim I would wear a life jacket...

 

[Cowboys&Caps]

Takes longer than that or you are going to get a ticket because its crawling with cops, but yeah 24 miles long over water, worlds longest bridge.

:clap2: :clap2:

a round of applause for our in house fact man for south Louisiana!

 

[Cowboys&Caps]

Also a very sad story, poor guy!

 

[Big Country]

Posted: 1 hour ago

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill spent much of his free time and his NFL paycheck helping loved ones in New Orleans rebuild in the hurricane-damaged city where he grew up.

However, the former LSU star's latest visit home for Memorial Day weekend turned tragic when he and a female friend ventured out on Lake Pontchartrain on a jet ski without life vests Sunday night.

Rescue workers found New England Patriots player Marquise Hill on Monday. He was reported missing following a jet-ski accident on Sunday in Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans.

The two ended up falling off the water craft in an area of swirling currents near where a major shipping canal runs into the lake. While the woman survived by grabbing a pylon and holding on to it until she was rescued, the 24-year-old Hill, who friends described as a good swimmer, drifted away and disappeared until searchers pulled his body from the water on Monday afternoon.

Loved ones including Hill's fiancee, Inell Benn, and friends, including Patriots teammate Randall Gay, had waited anxiously along the shoreline during the search and consoled one another when authorities told them Hill was found dead.

"Right now's a terrible time," Benn said. "I don't know what to feel right now."

Gay, who also played with Hill at LSU, had planned to spend the holiday weekend in Baton Rouge, but drove to New Orleans on Monday to monitor the search.

"Knowing that I have to go back to work and go look at his locker this week, it's tough," Gay said.

Hill's body was discovered by searchers about a quarter of a mile from where he fell into the water, Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department said.

"I lost a brother, man," said Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green, a fellow Louisiana native and former LSU player. "He was a funny guy. ... He'd just sit there and talk to you, say some funny things off his head that'd make you laugh. He was good to be around."

The Coast Guard was called Sunday night, Petty Officer Tom Atkeson said. The search began immediately, using boats and helicopters.

Hill played on LSU's national championship team and was a second-round draft pick by New England in 2004. He had yet to start for the Patriots, playing in 13 games in his NFL career.

"We have suffered a stunning and tragic loss," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a written statement. "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."

The rescued woman, whose identity was not immediately available, was sent to Tulane Medical Center, where she told authorities that Hill had tried to keep her calm as the two were drifting away from each other.

"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."

Hill's agent, Albert Elias, said the player spent much of his time since Hurricane Katrina helping rebuild the homes of family members including his mother, Sherry, and the mother of his 2-year-old son.

"From what I hear, he's done a lot to help with things after Katrina and I know he had a great passion for the city of New Orleans," said former LSU quarterback Matt Mauck, who was Hill's teammate at LSU. "Off field he was a really kind person, kind of like a gentle giant. And not only for LSU, but for New England and everyone who got a chance to meet him throughout his life, everyone has to be extremely saddened and disappointed to hear the news."

After going to the NFL, Hill continued to do much of his offseason training at LSU's Baton Rouge campus, about 80 miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, and was known and admired by current Tigers players, university athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said.

"His presence meant a lot for some of the younger guys. He gave them someone to look up to and he was always there for them," Bonnette said. "Here's a 6-foot-6, 300-pound guy, as intimidating as can be, and yet every time you approached him he always welcomed you with a big old smile.

"In between the lines, he had his game-face on, but outside the lines, in the community or in the weight room, he was always smiling and having a good time."

LINK


sorry, just noticed this is a repost...

mods, can you please merge with former...

Thanks,

aard

 

[YosemiteSam]

Horrible stuff...


But I have to ask why no life preserver?

Just to add to this question. Why no life preserver and jetsking at 9PM? (in darkness)

That is two kinds of stupid.

I know several people who just refuse to wear seatbelts. They claim, they hate the way it feels. I mean, these guys are actually pretty smart when it comes to most things, but absolute morons when it comes to their own safety. A few of them have children, and they just don't realize the risk not only to themselves, but their childrens future.

 

[Concord]

Autopsy finds no drugs, alcohol in Pats’ Hill


Defensive end's death after jetskiing accident ruled accidental drowning

NEW ORLEANS - The death of New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill, who fell off a jet ski in Lake Pontchartrain, was ruled an accidental drowning on Tuesday.

An autopsy found no signs of drug or alcohol in Hill’s body, although more tests are planned and will take two weeks to complete, said Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Frank Minyard.

Minyard said Hill might have suffered a mild concussion when he fell off the water craft.

“He might of hit the right side of his face above the eye when he fell off the craft,” Minyard said. “He had a pretty nasty bruise there.”

There was a slight amount of blood in the brain, which could indicate a concussion, Minyard said.

“That could have caused him some confusion,” Minyard said. “Although we were told he talked to the woman who was with him after the accident, he could have become disoriented.”

Hill played on LSU’s national championship team and was a second-round draft pick by New England in 2004. He had yet to start for the Patriots, playing in 13 games in his NFL career.

Hill and a female friend had ventured onto the lake Sunday night near the south shore. Investigators said neither was wearing a life vest. Authorities said they ended up in an area of swirling currents near where a shipping canal runs into the lake.

“The water goes through there very fast and it’s very deep — 70, 80, 90 feet deep,” said Minyard, who fishes in the area.

While the woman survived by clinging to a pylon until she was rescued, the 24-year-old Hill, who friends described as a good swimmer, drifted away and disappeared. Searchers pulled his body from the water on Monday afternoon.

“There were currents and very choppy waves,” said Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department, who took part in the search. “That might have caused the accident, you have to know what you’re doing in those conditions or you’ll have trouble.”

Hill was described by friends as a strong swimmer who included laps in his training routine. But the water conditions may have nullified his skill, Clark said.

State regulations require anyone riding the popular speedy water craft to wear a life jacket and be off the water a half hour before sunset, said Coast Guard officer Aldo Portillo.

Hill and his companion set out about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Sunset was at 7:53 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

Hill’s agent, Albert Elias, said the player spent much of his time since Hurricane Katrina helping rebuild the homes of family members including his mother, Sherry, and the mother of his 2-year-old son.

“From what I hear, he’s done a lot to help with things after Katrina, and I know he had a great passion for the city of New Orleans,” said former LSU quarterback Matt Mauck, who was Hill’s teammate at LSU. “Off field he was a really kind person, kind of like a gentle giant. And not only for LSU, but for New England and everyone who got a chance to meet him throughout his life, everyone has to be extremely saddened and disappointed to hear the news.”

After heading to the NFL, Hill continued to do much of his offseason training at LSU’s Baton Rouge campus, about 80 miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans. He was known and admired by current Tigers players, university athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said.

“His presence meant a lot for some of the younger guys. He gave them someone to look up to and he was always there for them,” Bonnette said. “Here’s a 6-foot-6, 300-pound guy, as intimidating as can be, and yet every time you approached him he always welcomed you with a big old smile.

“In between the lines, he had his game-face on, but outside the lines, in the community or in the weight room, he was always smiling and having a good time.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18907147/

 

[Doomsday101]

Really sorry to hear about this and my heart goes out to the family. Hopefully some good can come out of this tragedy and people will think twice about wearing life vest when doing these types of activities.

 

[jterrell]

I must admit I usually don't wear a life jacket on a jet ski.

It feels very constraining in an attempt to swim with one on.
I have swam competitively and passed lifeguard training but it is stupid.

I will wear a life jacket from now on.
That is seriously scary stuff.

God Bless the guys family and friends and all those who were injured over Memorial Day.