Thomas Hess, a Las Vegas physician, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction in the suicide of Erica Blasberg.

According to reports, Hess admitted to removing a suicide note and prescription medications from Blasberg's home before police showed up to investigate, wanting to spare her family the supposed embarrassment of a suicide.

Hess was sentenced to one year probation and 40 hours of community service.

Blasberg, the 25-year-old who joined the LPGA Tour in 2005, was found in May with a plastic bag over her head. Her parents initially expressed skepticism that the cause of death was suicide, but in August police confirmed that it was.

Shortly after Blasberg's death, police raided the office and home of Hess in search of "small blue oval pills in a 30 package blister pack," as well as a specific type of trash bag. The same type of pill package and trash bag were found in Blasberg's residence. Blasberg's parents said she had been taking Xanax for anxiety.

Thomas Hess, a Las Vegas physician, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction in the suicide of Erica Blasberg.

According to reports, Hess admitted to removing a suicide note and prescription medications from Blasberg's home before police showed up to investigate, wanting to spare her family the supposed embarrassment of a suicide.

Hess was sentenced to one year probation and 40 hours of community service.

Blasberg, the 25-year-old who joined the LPGA Tour in 2005, was found in May with a plastic bag over her head. Her parents initially expressed skepticism that the cause of death was suicide, but in August police confirmed that it was.

Shortly after Blasberg's death, police raided the office and home of Hess in search of "small blue oval pills in a 30 package blister pack," as well as a specific type of trash bag. The same type of pill package and trash bag were found in Blasberg's residence. Blasberg's parents said she had been taking Xanax for anxiety.

Blasberg, 25, was in her sixth season on the LPGA Tour. She turned professional in June 2004 and qualified to join the Tour a year later.

The Southern California native, who went to high school in Corona, was a two-time All-American at the University of Arizona, where she was named NCAA Freshman of the Year and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2003.

"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Erica Blasberg," Callahan wrote in a statement. "To most of the world, Erica was known as a professional golfer, but she was more than that. She was a loving daughter to her parents and a compassionate and loyal friend. Erica had a good heart, was extremely kind and very thankful for what she had in her life.

"She lived out her dream of playing professional golf on the highest level on the LPGA Tour, allowing her to help inspire others. We are proud of Erica for everything she accomplished. This is a painful loss, we feel it in our hearts and we will miss her. Erica would want those close to her to celebrate the life she lived. We ask that you keep Erica and her family in your prayers."

Blasberg had her best year on tour in 2008, when she earned a career-best tie for eighth at the SBS Open in Hawaii and had more than $113,000 in winnings. She had played in only one event this season, the Tres Marias Championship, where she tied for 44th.

Blasberg, 25, was in her sixth season on the LPGA Tour. She turned professional in June 2004 and qualified to join the Tour a year later.

The Southern California native, who went to high school in Corona, was a two-time All-American at the University of Arizona, where she was named NCAA Freshman of the Year and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2003.

"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Erica Blasberg," Callahan wrote in a statement. "To most of the world, Erica was known as a professional golfer, but she was more than that. She was a loving daughter to her parents and a compassionate and loyal friend. Erica had a good heart, was extremely kind and very thankful for what she had in her life.

"She lived out her dream of playing professional golf on the highest level on the LPGA Tour, allowing her to help inspire others. We are proud of Erica for everything she accomplished. This is a painful loss, we feel it in our hearts and we will miss her. Erica would want those close to her to celebrate the life she lived. We ask that you keep Erica and her family in your prayers."

Blasberg had her best year on tour in 2008, when she earned a career-best tie for eighth at the SBS Open in Hawaii and had more than $113,000 in winnings. She had played in only one event this season, the Tres Marias Championship, where she tied for 44th.