The body of a former rugby star has been found more than a year after he went missing.
Bryn Hargreaves' family confirmed the 37-year-old's body had been found, reporting they still do not know his cause of death or what actually happened. The ex Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions prop was reported missing in January 2022 after failing to arrive for work.
His disappearance sparked a major search by police in the state of West Virginia, where he was living at the time. They reported that he had vanished from his Whisper Creek home.
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Lancs Live reports police found his apartment unlocked and downstairs neighbours complained water was leaking in from above. His family also employed a local investigator to see if they could find him.
A GoFundMe page was also set up in a bid to to raise funds to continue to search. Last night on Sunday, March 19, his brother Gareth shared the news on Facebook the family had feared for more than a year.
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. We would appreciate a little space and will keep you updated when we have any further information x"
The rugby ace's mother, Maria Andrews, also posted her thoughts, writing that he was "heartbroken" upon hearing the news. She added: "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"
Hargreaves was born in Wigan and achieved a boyhood dream of playing in Super League for the Warriors. He also played for St Helens, where he won the 2008 Challenge Cup, before moving to the United States to work in the oil and gas industry 10 years ago, shortly after his final club, another historic rugby league side in Bradford Bulls, went bust.
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