NEW ORLEANS — The body of New England Patriots player Marquise Hill was found yesterday, a state official said, a day after he was reported missing following a jet ski accident on Lake Pontchartrain.

Hill’s body was discovered by searchers about a quarter of a mile from where the former LSU star and a female companion were involved in the accident, Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department said.

“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.

Hill’s agent, Albert Elias, said he had been told Hill and a young woman were jetskiing Sunday in the lake when both of them went into the water, which had a strong current. Elias said the woman was able to make it to a pylon and hang on until she was rescued, while Hill was last seen floating away from the scene.

Hill played on LSU’s national championship team and was a second-round draft pick by New England in 2004.