THE body of a former Bradford Bulls star has been found more than a year after he went missing in America, his heartbroken family has confirmed.

Bryn Hargreaves, 36, who played for Bulls in their 2011 and 2012 Super League campaigns, had been living in the US for ten years when he vanished without a trace in January last year, sparking a major search by cops.

But his brother Gareth Hargreaves, 39, said the former prop forward's body had finally been found 14 months after he mysteriously disappeared.

Gareth said: "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."

Police first went to Bryn's flat complex, outside the Morgantown city limits, West Virginia, on January 3 last year as water was leaking into a nearby apartment.

And when they arrived, they found his door unlocked and his shower still running, with all his belonging - including his phone and Apple laptop - present at the address.

They then began a manhunt, which didn't turn up any definitive leads, and even a private investigator hired by his family couldn't uncover any "concrete" details.

His devastated mum Maria Andrews also posted on social media, saying: "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."

Fellow former rugby league player, Luke Menzies, who now stars in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as Ridge Holland also paid tribute to Bryn on Twitter.

 

Bryn made a total of 175 Super League appearances for Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford.

He retired from rugby league aged just 26 after becoming disillusioned with the game and moved to the US ten years ago.

Bryn, originally from Wigan, worked in the oil and gas industry and lived in Pittsburgh with his American wife who he'd met on holiday in Mexico.

When the couple split, he moved to West Virginia, but Gareth said Bryn was left feeling isolated during the 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 his body.

But he had claimed cops wouldn't grant permission for the search and this stopped them from moving forward.