EXCLUSIVE Rugby league star Bryn Hargreaves was found in woodland near his US ... trends now
A body was discovered near missing former rugby league star Bryn Hargreaves’ house in the United States nearly a month ago, MailOnline has learned.
The ex-St Helens player, 37, was reported missing 14 months ago after he did not turn up for work last January, sparking a major police hunt in West Virginia.
At the time of his disappearance, Bryn was working as a gas and oil pipe safety inspector and was living alone following his divorce from Amy Lombardo two years previously.
His family said he had become 'isolated' during the Covid lockdown and suggested he might move back to the UK, but on the last time they spoke to him on January 3 last year 'he seemed fine'.
Yesterday his brother Gareth confirmed Bryn’s death with a post on Facebook saying: 'RIP Bryn Hargreaves. With incredible sadness I can confirm after 14 months we have finally found Bryn.
Bryn, pictured with his ex-wife Amy, was reported missing in January last year when he failed to turn up for work
Bryn Hargreaves played in the Super League for Wigan, St Helens and Bradford, which he is seen representing here
Gareth Hargreaves announced the passing of his brother Bryn on Facebook yesterday
'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.'
Today the Monongalia County Sheriff’s office confirmed to MailOnline that on February 26, deputies and detectives were dispatched to a wooded area near where the former rugby league player went missing in the Cheat Lake area of West Virginia, after a 911 from a member of the public who found a body.
The remains were sent to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and a post-mortem.
Neighbours of the British ex-pat pointed out how close the scene of the grim discovery was to his home.
Local Kiley Marie commented on Facebook: ‘That's literally directly across the road from where Bryn Hargreaves lived.’
She pointed out that the police did search the area when he went mssing in winter, but added .’Perhaps he was overlooked in the brush. Of course it could be someone else, just the location makes it hard not to think it could be him.
'I don't want to say I hope it's him but I feel so bad for his family, all this time with no answers .. couldn't help but think of him with it being so close to where he went missing.’
Today, a spokesman for the County Sheriff could not immediately confirm the identifcation of Bryn Hargreaves’ body, but added that a press release would be released ‘shortly’.
Sky Sports and Bryn's former clubs Wigan Warriors and Bradford Bulls all paid tribute to his memory
Family, friends and his former rugby clubs have also come together to pay tribute to his memory.
His mother Maria Andrews also wrote on social media: '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.'
Two of Bryn's former club's, Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors have also paid tribute to his memory.
A spokesman for Bradford Bulls said: 'We are extremely saddened to learn the body of former player Bryn Hargreaves has been found.
'Our thoughts and condolences are with Bryn's family and friends at this difficult time.'
Wigan Warriors echoed these sentiments, writing: 'Wigan Warriors are saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Bryn Hargreaves.
'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.'
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Sky Sports Rugby League said: 'The Rugby League community is saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Bryn Hargreaves.
'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.'
A spokesman for the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office said at the time of his disappearance that Bryn was reported missing to them on January 16.
Sniffer dogs were deployed to the Cheat Lake area of Morgantown, but to no avail. Gareth said at the time: 'It's almost like he was abducted from his shower.
'It's certainly a fear of mine. Obviously he was having mental health issues and in severe pain with his back from a car accident in December.
'I think the police thought he'd done something to himself and that certainly is a possibility that we also fear. But five
