Body of missing rugby league star Bryn Hargreaves is found more

Body of rugby league star Bryn Hargreaves is found more than a year after he went missing in the US, his devastated brother reveals

•  Bryn Hargreaves’ brother said missing rugby league star had been ‘finally found’
• The 36-year-old was reported missing last year when he did not arrive at work 

The body of missing rugby league star Bryn Hargreaves has been discovered over a year since he was last seen in America, his brother has revealed.

The ex-St Helens prop forward, 36, was reported missing in January last year when he failed to turn up for work, sparking a major police hunt in Morgantown, West Virginia.

His older brother Gareth, 39, said that his brother had been ‘finally found’ 14 months later.

In an emotional Facebook post, he said: ‘RIP Bryn Hargreaves. With incredible sadness I can confirm after 14 months we have finally found Bryn.

‘We still do not know the cause of death or what actually happened on 3/1/22. Thanks to all those that have helped in the search.

Bryn Hargreaves was reported missing in January last year when he failed to turn up for work

Hargreaves, who was born in Wigan, played in Super League for Wigan, St Helens and Bradford.

Bryn’s heartbroken brother announced the passing of his brother on Facebook 

‘We would appreciate a little space and will keep you updated when we have any further information x.’

Police first went to Bryn’s flat complex, outside the Morgantown city limits, West Virginia, on January 3 last year as water was leaking into a nearby apartment.

And when they arrived, they found his door unlocked and his shower still running, with all his belonging – including his phone and Apple laptop – present at the address.

They then began a manhunt, which didn’t turn up any definitive leads, and even a private investigator hired by his family couldn’t uncover any ‘concrete’ details.

His devastated mum Maria Andrews also posted on social media, saying: ‘Not something I wanted to be sharing. I’m in bits £heartbroken.

‘My beautiful son Bryn. I can’t think of any words to describe the pain xx.’

Bryn, originally from Wigan, Gtr Manchester, made 175 appearances in the sport’s top flight, Super League, for Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls.

He retired from rugby league aged just 26 after becoming disillusioned with the game and moved to the US ten years ago.

He worked in the oil and gas industry and lived in Pittsburgh with his American wife who he’d met on holiday in Mexico.

When the couple split, he moved to West Virginia, but Gareth said Bryn was left feeling isolated during the lockdown and suggested he might move back to the UK.

Gareth previously said the private investigator confirmed Bryn had some mental health issues and had asked local police if he could search a lake for his body.

But he had claimed cops wouldn’t grant permission for the search, and though the family had the money for a private inquiry, this stopped them from moving forward.

Speaking previously, Gareth said: ‘The private investigator said he couldn’t find any concrete evidence for anything.

‘But he believed Bryn was in a poor mental state, and he had more evidence to back that up.

Bryn, originally from Wigan, Gtr Manchester, made 175 appearances in the sport’s top flight, Super League, for Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls

‘He believed he was more likely to have committed suicide, which we knew was a strong possibility.

‘He wanted to search the lake again because he believed the initial search had some vulnerabilities. But the police wouldn’t grant that.’

Gareth said he had personally ‘struggled’ with not getting answers about his brother’s whereabouts after he had suddenly disappeared.

And he had claimed there had been lines of inquiry that should have been followed up on by police shortly after he went missing.

He said: ‘His phone has never been accessed, they haven’t been able to. They never really checked the CCTV if I’m honest, which was a bit frustrating.

After news of Bryn’s death was shared on social media, other friends and family paid tribute to the ‘kind’ and ‘gentle’ sportsman.

One relative wrote: ‘Heartbroken. My Nephew was a kind, reserved and gentle giant and he gave you his right arm.

Another pal added: ‘RIP Bryn Hargreaves mi old mate.. tragic all this carry on lately with close friends and mates from growing up and playing rugby with going.. great memory’s as kids.. pisses me right off.. rip mate.’

A further friend said: ‘To the entire family, I am so sorry for the loss of Bryn.

‘Time has not been easy over the past 14 months. Bryn made an impact on everyone he came in contact with and he was loved by so many people’

The rugby star, who was best man at Gareth’s wedding in 2018, last spoke to his brothers on January 3.

Two weeks later he was reported missing after his boss at work contacted his family in the UK to ask if they’d heard from him.

Bryn, originally from Wigan, retired from rugby league aged just 26 after becoming disillusioned with the game and moved to the US 10 years ago.

He worked in the oil and gas industry and lived in Pittsburgh with his American wife who he’d met on holiday in Mexico.

When the couple split, he moved to West Virginia, but Gareth said Bryn was left feeling isolated during lockdown and had suggested he might move back to the UK.

No cause of death has yet been determined. 

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