After 14 long months of fear and uncertainty, the body of former rugby star Bryn Hargreaves has finally been found. His family confirmed the news on social media, bringing an end to a desperate search that involved multiple efforts, including a fundraiser and a private investigator. Hargreaves, who was 37 when he died, was reported missing by his employer in West Virginia in January 2020 when he failed to show up for work.
Despite extensive searches, including the use of sniffer dogs, no trace of Hargreaves was found at the time. His brother Gareth took to Facebook to announce the news of his brother’s passing, saying that the family still doesn’t know what caused his death. He thanked everyone who had helped with the search and asked for privacy while they processed their grief.
Hargreaves’ mother Maria Andrews expressed her heartbreak, saying that words failed her to describe the pain of losing her beautiful son. Hargreaves was born in Wigan, England, and fulfilled his dream of playing in the Super League for the Wigan Warriors. He won the Challenge Cup with St. Helens in 2008 and later joined the Bradford Bulls before leaving rugby about ten years ago to work in the oil and gas industry in the United States.
The cause of Hargreaves’ death remains unclear, leaving his family to wonder if he was a victim of a crime. When he went missing, there were concerns he may have been kidnapped. His brother Gareth spoke about the possibility, citing strange occurrences in Hargreaves’ apartment when the police went to investigate. The door was closed but not locked, and the shower was still on.
For now, Hargreaves’ family is mourning the loss of a beloved family member and athlete. They are waiting for more information to determine what happened on January 22, 2020, and what led to Hargreaves’ untimely death.
