Family Ends Search For Missing Boater

Searching has turned to grieving for the family of Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, one of three men missing after a boat capsized in the Gulf on Saturday.

In a statement Friday, Cooper's father, Bruce, said the family had called off the search for Marquis Cooper after receiving "new information" about what happened after the boat was overturned by a wave.

The Coast Guard's search for the missing men ended Tuesday night, but friends and family members had been calling on pilots and boaters to continue the search.

In his statement, Bruce Cooper thanked everyone involved in the search for his son.

"We want to thank everyone in Arizona, Tampa and all over the United States for their thoughts, well-wishes, prayers and volunteer efforts on our behalf," he said. "We especially want to thank the members of the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Air Force, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife agency for their extraordinary and courageous efforts to rescue Marquis and his friends.

"We are beginning the process of healing. We are staying prayerful. One day the pain will be a little less burdensome. Right now, we just need time to be together and remember Marquis."

Cooper says in the statement that the family will not hold a memorial service and "asks instead that all of you memorialize Marquis in your hearts and thoughts.

"Marquis was a great father and husband and a great provider for his family. His daughter and wife, Rebekah, will be OK; they just need time to heal."

The Cooper family said it is making no further comment at this time.

Church at the Bay Pastor Hal Mayer said closure has begun for the family.

"They're at a spot where they know what they're dealing with," he said. "Up to now, you're hoping, you're praying, you're not really sure what's going on."

Also still missing are Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions last season, and Will Bleakley, a former University of South Florida football player.

Nick Schuyler, who also played football for USF, clung to the overturned 21-foot boat for more than 40 hours before being rescued about noon Monday.

Help Sought For Families

Mayer said Cooper family members told him Thursday night about what they had been told happened on the boat.

"My understanding is now, basically, Marquis was the first one for the hypothermia to take his life," Mayer said. "They performed CPR and tried to resuscitate him. ... Corey was next, and then my understanding was Will was the last one who died. ... It was comforting to the Cooper family to understand how the boaters tried to take care of each other."

Though the search has been called off, efforts are still being made by NFL players to raise money for the families.

In an e-mail, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Will Allen is asking for donations.

"As you all know the families are in dire need of everyone's support to continue the search," Allen writes. "This email is also purposed to take some of the economic strain off of the families. There is food, lodging, gas, and transportation needs that aren't met. Myself, Ryan Nece and Dwayne White of the Detroit Lions; Michael Pittman of the Denver Broncos, Michael Clayton, Torrie Cox and myself of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and many others are all pitching in and doing our part for immediate financial help. We ask that you do the same."

Cooper and Smith are both former Buccaneers.

Mayer said that although the search has been called off, money still is needed.

He has set up a search-and-rescue donation fund, which can be found at www. halmayer.com. Mayer said people can donate through the Web site or mail checks to Church at the Bay, 12157 W. Linebaugh Ave., No. 375, Tampa FL 33626. People mailing checks should write that the donation is for "Search and Rescue," Mayer said.

Investigation Will Take Weeks

The Cooper family's decision to end the search came as an investigator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission met with Smith's family. The meeting was part of the commission's efforts to let family members know how the investigation is progressing, spokesman Gary Morse said.

The four men left about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, when the weather was relatively calm, from the Seminole boat ramp at Clearwater Pass. The boat capsized Saturday evening about 40 miles offshore.

After beginning its search early Sunday morning, the Coast Guard gave up looking at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The wildlife commission is corroborating all the information it has, including an hourlong interview conducted with Schuyler on Tuesday, and putting together an investigative report, Morse said. It usually takes four to six weeks to complete an investigation.

In addition to the interview with Schuyler, investigators will examine the condition of the boat, which was recovered Wednesday, as well as weather conditions, what kind of safety equipment was on the boat and the seamanship of those aboard.

There will be a memorial service for Bleakley at 3 p.m. today at Crystal River United Methodist Church in Crystal River.

A memorial fund has been set up in Bleakley's honor. Contributions can be made to the Will Bleakley Memorial Fund, c/o Mercantile Bank, 1000 U.S. 19 S.E., Crystal River FL 34429.