James Hardy III was tragically found dead near Fort Wayne, Indiana and back in June. Now the official cause of death has surfaced:
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Breaking: Former Elmhurst High School and IU football star James Hardy III's death ruled a suicide. pic.twitter.com/Qaq5ZQemI4
— Petar Hood (@PetarHood) July 19, 2017
"The investigation has completed on James W. Hardy, male black 31 years of age of Fort Wayne, Indiana. James W. Hardy, was found in the Maumee River, north of the Anthony Blvd. bridge in Fort Wayne, during the afternoon hours on June 7, 2017.
The Cause of Death has been determined to be Asphyxia due to Drowning and the Manner of Death is Suicide."
https://twitter.com/FortWaynesNBC/status/872871095979786240
Kayla Crandall of Fort Wayne's NBC affiliate brings word that Hardy's body was "trapped" in a dam near a water plant and, as a result, police believe that his body had "been in the water for seven to 10 days" before being discovered. That is a graphic and brutal picture. Hardy, who last played in the NFL in 2011, was just 31 years old.
The Buffalo Bills, who drafted the former Indiana Hoosiers standout with a second round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, issued an official statement after hearing of the passing of their former player.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of James Hardy today. We send our condolences to the Hardy family as they deal with this tragic loss."
While Hardy was not a household name for most casual NFL fans, he was a tremendous player while at Indiana and he spent time with both the Bills and Baltimore Ravens during the course of his professional career.
Our prayers and thoughts continue to be with his family and loved ones in what has to be a very difficult time.
