Local authorities in the US have come in for criticism after it emerged the body of former rugby league player Bryn Hargreaves was discovered in a woodland directly opposite his US home - 14 months after he went missing.
Officials were first alerted to his disappearance in January 2022 when he failed to turn up the work. Having represented Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls as well as playing internationally for Wales, the star quit the sport in 2012 aged just 36, citing disillusionment with the game and relocated to the US.
On Sunday night, his family announced on social media that his body had been discovered. And on Monday, police confirmed Hargreaves' body was found by ‘shed hunters’ close to his home in a wooded area, revealing the FBI had been involved in the search.
Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer said: “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 (a public safety service), and several individual volunteers’ over a several month period with negative success.”
Police said they would not be drawn on a cause of death, saying the department was “waiting for a completed autopsy”.
Shed hunters search for naturally shed antlers by animals such as deer.
But as news of where Hargreaves was found in relation to where he lived emerged, many Americans began to question the police. Michael Weber responded to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Facebook update of the body being found, writing: “How can you do a ‘large scale search’ and not find his body which was found LITERALLY across the street from Whisper Creek Apartments. Literally ACROSS THE STREET where he lived. But they did a large scale search.'"
Local Stephen Nebel added: “Hold on. His last known whereabouts were his place in South Pierpont. But a search was conducted, and nothing found. But then his remains were found in woods on south Pierpont road?” Lucas Clevenger blasted: “Where were they looking for him?”
Tributes have already poured in for the star, who played in two grand finals with the Saints, with chairman Eamonn McManus saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are very much with his family at this incredibly difficult time. They have also had to deal with a prolonged period of stress prior this awful news.
“Bryn was extremely well-liked and respected by his teammates and by all involved with the club during his four seasons with us from 2007 to 2010. He was very much part of the great Saints team of that era and was a World Club Challenge winner in 2007 and a Challenge Cup winner in 2008. It is a real tragedy that he has died at such a young age. He will be remembered with genuine warmth and with affection by us all.”
McManus was joined by other Super League clubs and the Rugby Football League in paying tribute: “Wigan Warriors are saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Bryn Hargreaves,” his former club said. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Ex-Bradford Bulls teammate Karl Pryce said: “R.I.P mad dog. You was truly one of a kind. My thoughts are with you and your family at such a tough time.”
Hargreaves, who worked as a gas and oil pipe safety inspector, was 36 when he was reported missing. He lived alone after his divorce from Amy Bombard, 36, two years ago, and in the summer friends publicly voiced their concerns that he had come to harm.
