WACO, Texas - A body found at a rock quarry near Baylor University was too decomposed to immediately determine whether it was that of missing basketball player Patrick Dennehy, authorities said Saturday.
The body was found by an investigator Friday night in an area not previously searched, but in the vicinity of where authorities had been looking for the Baylor athlete, McLennan County Sheriff Larry Lynch said. The scene, 5 miles southeast of Baylor, was secured and guarded overnight.
"This morning, at first light, we began a thorough collection of all evidence and examination of the area where the badly decomposed body was found," Lynch said.
He said he notified Dennehy's family Saturday that an unidentified body was found, and that it was being taken to a forensic lab for an autopsy and positive identification.
Dennehy, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center, was last seen on campus June 12. His family reported him missing June 19 and his Chevy Tahoe, missing its license plates, was found in a Virginia Beach, Va., parking lot June 25.
Maryland native Carlton Dotson, 21, who played for Baylor last season and lived with Dennehy for a few months, was charged with Dennehy's murder last week. He is jailed without bond and awaiting extradition to Texas.
Waco police said Dotson told FBI agents in Maryland he shot Dennehy after the player tried to shoot him. But after his arrest, Dotson told the Associated Press he "didn't confess to anything."
Dotson gave police three places in Waco where Dennehy's body might be found, Dennehy's family said. The body was found in one of those locations.
Dennehy's stepfather and mother, Brian and Valorie Brabazon, and his girlfriend, Jessica De La Rosa, left Waco Friday after spending four days cleaning out Dennehy's apartment and meeting with police and Baylor officials. The couple spent the night at a hotel in Albuquerque, N.M., where De La Rosa lives.
Brian Brabazon and De La Rosa each confirmed they spoke Saturday with the sheriff.
"We still have hope that Patrick is still alive, but we want closure," Brabazon said, adding that he and his wife would delay driving home to Carson City, Nev.
Colon, Mitchell can return
The endorsement of their teammates allowed offensive linemen Johnathan Colon and Mo Mitchell to return to the Florida football team a few weeks after coach Ron Zook dismissed the players following several incidences of misconduct, including skipping classes.
If they abide by conditions set by Zook, the two will be with the team when fall practice begins Aug.6.
"There's still a few things they have to do to make sure they respect the team," Zook said Saturday. One of those things is a public apology to the team.
Zook said he allowed the team to vote on Colon's and Mitchell's fate this month, saying he would honor their decision. The players counted the votes.
The 6-foot-7 Colon started 10 games at right tackle last season, and Mitchell (6-7, 340) started the final four games at right guard. They were dismissed in June.
"They've not been malicious," Zook said. "They did not do anything major bad. ... They did extremely well this summer and I'm proud of them."
Around the nation
FLORIDA STATE: Charles Cleveland of Tampa Catholic signed last week to play baseball. He was a member of the 2001 state champion team and started for three seasons. He pitched and played third base for the Crusaders.
FRESNO STATE: The school ended its practice of signing recruits who don't qualify under NCAA academic standards. The NCAA Infractions Committee is deciding whether additional penalties are warranted for the men's basketball program beyond self-imposed penalties, including two years' probation, scholarship reduction and a postseason ban in 2003.
SOUTHERN CAL: The body of 18-year-old football recruit Drean Rucker was recovered from waters southeast of Los Angeles. Orange County sheriff's Lieutenant Dave Wilson said Rucker, a prep All-America linebacker, appeared to have drowned.
- Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.
