Family of rugby star found dead in US revealed his health battles during search – as cops slammed for missing body

THE family of a rugby star who was found dead in the US has revealed his health battles during the cops "prolonged" search for his missing body.

It comes after Bryn Hargreaves, 37, was found dead in a woodland near his home 14 months after he was reported missing.

Officials have been criticised after the remains of the ex-St Helens player were identified on Sunday following a lengthy search.

Hargreaves' last known location was his luxury apartment at the Whisper Creek Complex, near Morgantown, West Virginia.

His body was eventually found only a short distance from the building.

However, his mother, Maria Andrews, has now revealed the man suffered severe health problems amid his disappearance.

Maria told local TV station WBOY last year: "Where he lives, it's amazing.

"But unfortunately it's so isolated and that's what's happened... he became a recluse."

She believed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to repeated concussions from rugby.

It caused him to have seizures, which eventually caused him to crash his vehicle on December 8, 2021.

Following the crash, Hargreaves stopped working.

Maria said: "That would have been Bryn's worst nightmare because he couldn't walk, he was bed-bound."

Initially, Hargreaves was reported missing in January 2022 after he failed to arrive for work, which sparked a police probe.

According to Monongalia County Sheriff's office, a "large-scale search" of the area near his home was carried out by authorities.

It involved police, firemen, the FBI, mountain rescue groups and volunteers over a several months but had little success.

Local residents have hit out at the cops for failing to find the body.

Nearby neighbour, Kiley Marie, launched into a tirade via her Facebook, which read: "That's literally directly across the road from where Bryn Hargreaves lived.

"Perhaps he was overlooked in the brush...

"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."

Another local, Jacinda Hickman, added: "Oh my goodness... I live right by where Bryn lived and the wooded area has had a horrible stench for quite a while.

"I had no idea about his disappearance until I saw earlier comments."

The Monongalia Sheriff's Office said it was waiting for an autopsy report to determine the cause of death.

Once the report is received, cops will make a public statement.