A private investigator has begun the search for missing ex-rugby league player Bryn Hargreaves in the United States amid fears from his family that potential criminality could be behind his mysterious disappearance.

Hargreaves, 36, who grew up in Leyland and attended Balshaw's C of E High School and Runshaw College, was reported missing more than five months ago by his employer after he failed to arrive for work, and that sparked a major search by police and tracker dogs in West Virginia, where he now lives.

Repeated attempts to track him down drew a blank however, and his family have now set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a private detective to take on the role.

Bryn’s older brother Gareth, 38, said: “The police over there aren’t doing anything.

"There are a few things that have come to light that need to be investigated that haven’t been previously.

“The only way we can make that happen is through a private investigator. There’s possible leads and motives that could lead to criminal outcomes.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Hargreaves, who played in Super League for Wigan, St Helens and Bradford before moving to the States to work in the oil and gas industry 10 years ago, vanished without trace from his apartment on January 3 and Gareth believes he may have been abducted.

His brother went on: “Bryn had mental health issues and was in severe pain with his back from a car accident in December.

“He’d also been away from his family at Christmas.

“The most likely scenarios were that he decided to harm himself or had decided to disappear for a bit and come back.

“But five months on, those two possibilities look less likely because you’ve got to think a body would turn up.

“We had his bank account investigated by the police which showed there’s no withdrawals and his wallet and his ID and passport are all still in his apartment so he had no means of access to his cash and no ID to travel.

“So you start to think of the other possibility, that he didn’t plan to go missing and that someone has had some input, through abduction or something along those lines.

“You start to think of all the weird things at the time which start to add up. When the police went around to his apartment, the door was closed but unlocked and the shower was still on.

“And on the night of his disappearance he had ordered a couple of bottles of gin from a mail order firm to be delivered in the next day or two.”

Bryn’s mother Maria and younger brother David, 34, went to America earlier in the year to help search for him but the saga is taking a heavy toll on the family.

“I won’t lie, it has been a bit of a struggle,” continued Gareth, who is married with an 11-week-old baby and a three-year-old. “If we have to go back out there we would.”

The family have decided the best option is a private investigator, who began work a week ago, and are hoping to raise at least £20,000 to offset the cost.

Gareth said: “If we can get 30,000 rugby league fans giving a quid each, we’ve got all the funds we need to make it happen.

“We’re trying to get £20,000 but how long is a piece of string?

"There’s over £4,500 in there so far which is phenomenal and allows us to get the ball rolling.”

Gareth says any money left will be donated to RL Cares, the charitable arm of the Rugby Football League which helped pay for Maria’s trip to the States in January and is providing her with weekly counselling.

Hargreaves played for Wigan before joining St Helens 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 moved to the States.

Gareth Hargreaves' Go Fund Me Page reads: "Hi, my name is Gareth Hargreaves; I'm the brother of ex-Wigan, St Helens and Bradford player Bryn Hargreaves, who has been missing in the USA since 3rd January 2022.

"Bryn left the UK and rugby league 10 years ago to go to the USA. He has had some unfortunate life events and became isolated due to covid, leading to mental health issues of late.

"We appreciate all the hard work of the local/state police departments and helpful community, but unfortunately, after 5 MONTHS, there have been NO LEADS OR PROGRESS.

"My mum and brother flew out to the USA on 28th January for 7 weeks, thanks to the support of Rugby League Cares who funded the outgoing flights and 4 weeks of car hire/accommodation, for which we will be eternally grateful.

"Despite gathering further information and investigating many avenues, there are still NO LEADS OR PROGRESS.

"We are no closer to finding Bryn after 5 months and fear for his welfare.

"We would now like to appoint a private investigator, following legal advice from a former assistant district attorney in the USA.

"For this, we need your help! We hope friends, work colleagues, well-wishers and the rugby league community will support us in our quest to find my brother and bring him home!

"Our goal is to raise £20,000 to fund private investigators to look into Bryn's disappearance.

"All monies donated will principally be used to fund the investigation into Bryn's disappearance as we have some leads that may lead to criminal outcomes.

"The police have been unable to access his phone/laptop. We would like to send these to private companies to try gain access.

"Any remaining balance will be donated to Rugby League Cares to continue their great work in the aftercare of players and generally within the rugby league community.

"We will keep everyone updated as to how the funds are being spent in our search for Bryn."

To donate follow this link.

The PA news agency has contacted the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office for comment.