Former NFL player James Hardy found dead in Indiana river

The Associated Press

8 years ago

In this July 27, 2009, file photo, Buffalo Bills’ James Hardy catches a pas during NFL football training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., Authorities say the former NFL wide receiver has been found dead in a river in northeast Indiana. The Allen County Coroner’s Office says the 31-year-old’s body was identified Thursday, June 8, 2017, but that the cause and manner of death are still being investigated. His body was discovered the Wednesday in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne, Ind. (AP Photo/David Duprey, File)

In this Oct. 26, 2008, file photo, Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy, right, catches a pass as he is guarded by Miami Dolphins safety Jason Allen during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Miami. Authorities say the former NFL wide receiver has been found dead in a river in northeast Indiana. The Allen County Coroner’s Office says the 31-year-old’s body was identified Thursday, June 8, 2017, but that the cause and manner of death are still being investigated. His body was discovered the Wednesday in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne, Ind. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

In this Oct. 7, 2006, file photo, Indiana’s James Hardy (82) breaks free from Illinois defenders Alan Ball, left, and Antonio Steele, right, during a football game in Champaign, Ill. Authorities say the Hardy, a former NFL wide receiver, has been found dead in a river in northeast Indiana. The Allen County Coroner’s Office says the 31-year-old’s body was identified Thursday, June 8, 2017, but that the cause and manner of death are still being investigated. His body was discovered the Wednesday in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne, Ind. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Buffalo Bills’ James Hardy makes a catch during NFL football training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., Friday, July 25, 2008. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Buffalo Bills’ James Hardy during NFL football training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., Sunday, July 26, 2009. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Buffalo Bills’ James Hardy during NFL football training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Buffalo Bills’ James Hardy puts on his helmet during NFL football practice in Orchard Park, N.Y., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. The Bills (3-5) also have to determine by the end of the day whether to activate receiver James Hardy off the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list, or place him on season-ending injured reserve. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Buffalo Bills’ James Hardy at NFL football training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., Friday, July 30, 2010. (AP Photo/ David Duprey)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Authorities say former NFL wide receiver James Hardy has been found dead in a river in northeast Indiana.

The Allen County Coroner’s Office says the 31-year-old’s body was identified Thursday, but that the cause and manner of death are still being investigated.

The coroner says the former Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens player was reported missing a few weeks ago by relatives. His body was discovered Wednesday in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne.

The former Indiana University star was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Bills. A series of injuries limited him to 16 games over two seasons in Buffalo. He also played for Baltimore before being released in 2011.

Police say an employee of Fort Wayne’s water filtration plant discovered his body.