Body found in Gulf; may be missing oil rig worker

November 27, 2012 @ 3:20 pm

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A coroner is trying to determine whether the decomposed body of a man recovered from the Gulf of Mexico is a worker missing since a fire erupted on an offshore oil platform on Nov. 16.

The Coast Guard says the body was spotted Monday by the crew of a supply vessel about 2.5 miles off Grand Isle.

Jefferson Parish coroner investigator Tommy Evans said no ID was available after an autopsy Tuesday. Evans said his office planned to use dental records and possibly DNA tests to determine whether the body is of missing worker Jerome Malagapo.

The fire killed two other workers. Ellroy Corporal's body was found in the Gulf near the platform. Avelino Tajonera was critically burned and died at a Baton Rouge hospital on Nov. 23.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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