Marquise Hill believed to have drowned in accident

New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill is shown in this undated photo released by the New England Patriots on Monday. PHOTO: AP

New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill, who went missing after a Sunday jet-ski mishap, was believed to be the victim of a drowning after a body was recovered in New Orleans on Monday.

Hill and a woman were jet skiing on nearby Lake Pontchartrain when both went into the water. The woman swam to a pylon and clung there until being rescued while Hill, 24, was seen floating away.

Searchers found the body about 500m from the site of the incident.

"The family will need to identify the body but we believe it's the body of Marquise Hill," said a spokesman for the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department.

Hill, from New Orleans, was selected in the second round of the 2004 National Football League Draft by the Patriots and was a member of their Super Bowl championship team in 2005.

"We are absolutely heartbroken to learn of Marquise's death," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "Our immediate thoughts go to Marquise's mother Sherry and the rest of his family. He was only 24 and his death is hard to comprehend.

"On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, we extend our most heartfelt sympathies to Marquise's family and friends who mourn his loss," Kraft said.

Hill played in 13 games over the past three years for Patriots coach Bill Belichick but was a major presence off the field for the club.

"We have suffered a stunning and tragic loss," Belichick said. "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."