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James Hardy, ex-Bills receiver, found dead in Indiana river

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. His body was discovered Wednesday in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne.

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In this handout photo provided by the NFL, James Hardy of the Buffalo Bills poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Orchard Park, N.Y. Getty

The coroner says the former Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens player was reported missing a few weeks ago by relatives. His family told CBS affiliate WANE-TV they reported him missing on May 30.

Hardy was a second-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft when the Bills selected him out of Indiana University, CBS Sports reports. He was with the team for two seasons, catching 10 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Police say an employee of Fort Wayne's water filtration plant discovered his body while doing his regular rounds.

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