Bryn Hargreaves: Police issue statement after body is found

It was confirmed on Sunday that Bryn's body had been found more than a year after he vanished in the United States.

The 37-year-old moved to the US about 10 years ago and he was reported missing in January last year after he did not turn up for work.

A major police search in West Virginia drew a blank and in June his family revealed they had hired a private investigator in an attempt to find him.

Today, after Bryn's family confirmed the tragic news, Monongalia County Sheriff's Office issued a press release that was authorised by Sheriff Pery Palmer.

It confirmed Bryn's body had been found in Monongalia County and that the cause of death is yet to be established.

The statement read: "The human remains discovered on February 26, 2023 in Monongalia County, WV have been identified as Bryn Hargreaves.

"Hargreaves, who is originally from England, was reported missing on January 16, 2022.

"His last known location was his residence at the Whisper Creek Apartment Complex which is located off of South Pierpont Road, in Monongalia County, WV.

"A large-scale search of the Cheat Lake area was conducted by members of the Sheriff’s Department, Morgantown Police/Fire Search and Rescue, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mountaineer Area Rescue Group, MECCA 911, and several individual volunteers’ over a several month period with negative success.

"The Sheriff’s Office is waiting for a completed autopsy report from the WV Office of the Chief Medical Examiner before a cause and manner of death is determined.

"Once that report is received an updated press release will be made available."

His older brother Gareth Hargreaves revealed on Sunday night: “With incredible sadness I can confirm after 14 months we have finally found Bryn.

He added that “we still do not know the cause of death or what actually happened” on January 3, 2022, when his brother vanished from his home near Morgantown in West Virginia.

“We would appreciate a little space and will keep you updated when we have any further information,” he added.

Gareth Hargreaves' post (Image: Facebook)

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are providing support to the family of a British national who died in the US and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Bryn played in Super League for Saints, Wigan and Bradford before moving to the States to work in the oil and gas industry.

His former clubs led tributes to him on social media.

Saints coach Paul Wellens said: “On behalf of the club and from myself as a former team-mate of Bryn’s, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to Bryn’s family. It’s very sad news.

“I just want to place on record how much of a respected player and person Bryn was when he played here, how much of a well-liked member of the team he was and how good he was to be around on and off the field.

“He was a fierce competitor and when I spoke to our team this morning I told them ‘Bryn’s the type of guy you guys would love to have played with’. It’s a huge loss and we’re all very saddened by it.”

READ MORE>Paul Wellens pays tribute to Bryn Hargreaves

Wigan Warriors were “saddened to learn of the passing” of their former player, adding: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Bradford Bulls wrote: “We are extremely saddened to learn the body of former player Bryn Hargreaves has been found.

Bryn Hargreaves in his Saints days (Image: St Helens Star)

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Bryn’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Hargreaves played for Wigan before joining Saints and he was in the team that won the 2008 Challenge Cup at Wembley.

He later joined Bradford but quit the game at the age of 26 when the Bulls went bust, and he moved to the US.

His family set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a private detective, and his mother Maria and younger brother David went to the States last year to help search for him.