The body of missing rugby league star Bryn Hargreaves has been discovered more than a year since he was last seen in the United States, his brother has revealed.
The 36-year-old former St Helens striker was reported missing in January last year when he failed to show up for work, prompting a huge police manhunt in Morgantown, West Virginia.
His older brother Gareth, 39, said his brother had been “finally found” 14 months later.
In an emotional Facebook post, he said: ‘RIP Bryn Hargreaves. It is with incredible sadness that I can confirm that after 14 months we finally found Bryn.
‘We still don’t know the cause of death or what really happened on 1/3/22. Thanks to all who have helped in the search.
Bryn Hargreaves was reported missing in January of last year when he failed to show up for work.
Hargreaves, who was born in Wigan, played in the Super League for Wigan, St Helens and Bradford.
Bryn’s heartbroken brother announced his brother’s passing on Facebook
‘We’d appreciate some space and will keep you updated when we have more information x.’
Police first went to the Bryn apartment complex, outside the Morgantown, West Virginia, city limits, on January 3 of last year when water leaked into a nearby apartment.
And when they arrived, they found her door unlocked and her shower still running, with all her belongings, including her phone and Apple laptop, present at the address.
They then began a manhunt, which turned up no definitive leads, and even a private investigator hired by his family was unable to uncover any ‘hard’ details.
His devastated mother, Maria Andrews, also posted on social media, saying: “It’s not something I wanted to share.” I am in pieces with a broken heart.
‘My beautiful son Bryn. I can’t think of any words to describe the pain xx.
Originally from Wigan, Gtr Manchester, Bryn made 175 appearances in the sport’s top flight, the Super League, for Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls.
He retired from rugby league at 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, whom he met while on vacation in Mexico.
When the couple split, he moved to West Virginia, but Gareth said Bryn felt isolated during 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 her body.
But he had claimed that the police would not give him permission for the search, and although the family had the money for a private investigation, this prevented them from going ahead.
Speaking earlier, Gareth said: ‘The private investigator said he couldn’t find any concrete evidence of anything.
‘But he believed that Bryn was in a bad mental state, and he had more evidence to back that up.
Originally from Wigan, Gtr Manchester, Bryn made 175 appearances in the sport’s top flight, Super League, for Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls.
I thought it was more likely that she had committed suicide, which we knew was a strong possibility.
“I wanted to search the lake again because I thought the initial search had some vulnerabilities. But the police would not concede.
Gareth said he had personally “struggled” not to get answers about his brother’s whereabouts after he suddenly disappeared.
And he had claimed that there were lines of inquiry that the police should have followed shortly after his disappearance.
He said: ‘Your phone has never been accessed, they haven’t been able to. They never checked the cctv to be honest which was a bit frustrating.
After news of Bryn’s death was shared on social media, other friends and family members paid tribute to the ‘kind’ and ‘kind’ sportsman.
A relative wrote: ‘Heartbroken. My nephew was a kind, reserved and gentle giant and he gave you his right arm.
Another friend added: ‘RIP Bryn Hargreaves my old mate…tragic all this that has happened lately with close friends and mates from growing up and playing rugby with go…great childhood memories…immediately upsets me. .. rip friend’.
Another friend said: ‘To all the family, I am so sorry for the loss of Bryn.
‘Times have not been easy in the last 14 months. Bryn made an impact on everyone he came in contact with and was loved by many.
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 had heard from him.
Originally from Wigan, Bryn 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, whom he met while on vacation in Mexico.
When the couple split, he moved to West Virginia, but Gareth said Bryn felt isolated during lockdown and suggested he might move back to the UK.
The cause of death has not yet been determined.