| Show use u kicker Danelo found dead teary z Jerry Cro Crowe Crove ve Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES The body of kicker Mario Danelo was found Saturday at the bottom of a cliff in San Pedro according to Los Angeles Police Department officials Danelo 21 was found west of the Point Fermin Fennin lighthouse on Saturday afternoon detectives were were still investigating late Saturday night I have no indication per perse perse perse se that it was a criminal event said Lt David Pierson commanding officer of the Harbor Division detectives But we exhaust all leads to ensure that were we're making the right categorization of the case Asked if it was being investigated as a suicide Pierson said I dont don't have anything to indicate that it was that Pierson said a person flying a remote-control remote airplane noticed something at the bottom of the cliff and a friend traversed a trail down to the beach and discovered the body The fire department was contacted at pm p.m. Pierson said Were conducting an investigation at this time timeto to I exactly determine how it got there whether it was an accident or what's going on Pierson said investigators had information that indicated Danelo was out with friends Friday night and that Danelo was last seen around midnight Asked if Danelo had been dr drinking Pierson said We have no information to indicate whether he was drinking or not drinking I just dont don't know at this time Atop the cliff are signs forbidding entrance and warnings about unstable slippery surfaces and steep drops A bouquet of flowers was left at the scene Danelo is the son of former fonner NFL kicker Joe Danelo He was the Trojans' Trojans starting kicker the last two seasons after making the team as a walk- walk on in 2003 Danelo made 15 of 16 goal field-goal attempts this season three season three in the opener against Arkansas and four against Washington and also converted 44 of 48 point extra-point attempts On Monday he kicked two y 26 yard 26 field goals in the Trojans Trojans' ns' ns 32 18 Rose Bowl victory over Michigan and made two of four extra- extra point attempts Coach Pete Carroll was out of town and could not be reached for comment Were stunned to hear about bout this tragedy a spokesman said in a statement on behalf of Carroll This is a great loss Mario was a wonderful young man of high character and he was one heck of a kicker He was a key ingredient in our success these past few years The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trojan Family go out to the Danelo family on this sad sad day linebacker Dallas said Danelo would be remembered for his upbeat personality and dependable kicking I just remember Mario was the guy who always had a smile on his face and would always cheer you up said a team captain He had a great personality This is really tough for everyone to swallow right now I just still cant can't believe it Danelo was an City All-City player at San Pedro High He at in 2003 and did not have any attempts in 2004 Danelo however earned a scholarship in inthe inthe inthe the fall of 2005 and had a setting record-setting season for forthe forthe forthe the Trojans who reached the Bowl Championship Series title game for the second consecutive year Danelo made 11 of 12 goal field-goal attempts attempt He also converted 83 of 86 point extra-point attempts setting records for both conversions and attempts Danelo is the second athlete to die in the thelast thelast thelast last eight months Ryan Francis a point guard for forthe forthe forthe the basketball team was shot to death last May in Baton Rouge La Staff writer Rebecca contributed to this report |
