Rising NRL star Liam Hampson found dead in Barcelona

A rising NRL star has been found dead on the floor of a Barcelona nightclub 30 hours after he vanished on an end of season trip.

Redcliffe Dolphins star Liam Hampson, 24, had been on the holiday of a lifetime travelling across Europe with Gold Coast Titans’ fullback Alexander ‘AJ’ Brimson and Brisbane Broncos stars Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars.

Brimson shared a frantic post on Wednesday night explaining Hampson hadn’t been seen since visiting Barcelona nightclub Sala Apolo at 4.30am on Tuesday.

Barcelona Police confirmed to Seven News early Thursday AEST a body believed to be Hampson has been found at the venue. 

‘This morning, nightclub staff where Liam was seen for the last time, found a body on the floor in an area of the nightclub, Sala Apolo,’ police said.

Hampson’s death is being treated by police as a tragic accident.

One Spanish publication reported police believe Hampson may have fallen from a height of 10 metres.

His father and sister have since confirmed the sad news in heartbreaking social media posts.

Redcliffe Dolphins star Liam Hampson (pictured) has tragically been found dead in Barcelona

The rising NRL star (left) paid tribute to his mother Lorna Morton (right) on Mother’s Day earlier this year

Liam Hampson was found dead on the floor by venue staff at Barcelona nightclub Sala Apolo (pictured)

‘Waking up to the news no one wants to hear, we are devastated to find out that Liam had an accident and sadly has not survived,’ his father Brett posted on Facebook.

‘We are heartbroken to say the least. Liam had a heart of gold and was a much loved son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. Words can not express our grief.

‘We can not thank his mates enough for being there with Liam having the time of his life and assisting in the search for our boy. Our thoughts are with them.’

Hampson’s sister Tiarna posted a similar tribute hours after she issued a desperate appeal to find him.

‘We are so heartbroken,’ she posted.

‘Liam was the best brother I ever could of asked for and made me a better person. We cannot express our grief.

‘We cannot thank the boys he was travelling with enough for assisting with his search and made sure his last days were the best of his life. 

Going to miss you so much, Liam.’

This is one of the last photos of Liam Hampson (pictured far right) enjoying to sights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Brimson reacted to Tiarna’s tribute with a heart emoji.

The family has requested privacy as they deal with the heartbreaking loss.  

Hours earlier, Brimson launched a desperate appeal to find Hampson.

‘Hasn’t been able to be contacted and no one has seen him for 24 hours … was travelling with a group and very out of character, any info would be greatly appreciate,’ Brimson captioned a photo of Hampson wearing the clothes he was last seen wearing – a black t-shirt and light coloured shorts and baseball cap.

‘Please do not message me unless you have any help or info. We are busy trying to message family members etc. Thanks!’ 

Riki also reposted the photo with a message begging for help to find him, which was also shared by the Broncos.

‘Please help or share this [message] it’s very scary for all of us he’s our best mate we want to find him,’ Riki wrote on his Instagram.

Arthars posted a simple pray emoji on a black background on his Instagram stories.

Just two days earlier, Brimson posted one of the last photos of Hampson in front of the  Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The pair had been longtime school friends and attended renowned rugby league institution Keebra Park State High School.

Hampson and Brimson were also teammates at the Tweed Seagulls.

Redcliffe Dolphins player Liam Hampson was a rising Queensland rugby league star. He’s pictured signing autographs for young fans after a finals match last month

Hours before his death was confirmed, Gold Coast Titans fullback AJ  Brimson posted a photo of his friend, Liam Hampson in the clothes he was last seen wearing

Liam Hampson (right) was travelling across Europe with NRL star AJ Brimson (left) and other mates. Pictured are the pair enjoying the sights of Amsterdam

Hampson (top left) during his European holiday with fellow young rugby league stars including Jordan Riki (front left) 

Liam Hampson (far right) with his Aussie mates during the European trip. Police are treating his death as a tragic accident

Hampson had been holidaying around Europe with Brimson, Riki and Arthars.

The group of mates have posted dozens of photos from their adventure-packed travels in the past month, including snaps from Paris, Ibiza, Amsterdam, Munich and Positano in Italy.

Hampson played hooker for the Redcliffe Dolphins and recently helped steered his side to the Queensland Cup grand final, where they were narrowly beaten 16-10 by the Norths Devils.

The Dolphins will make their NRL debut next season under the helm of coaching legend Wayne Bennett. 

Hampson is not among the club’s top tier squad.

The team’s NRL recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan told The Daily Telegraph Hampson was a ‘really nice young kid’, and said he was shocked about the news.

‘We don’t have further details, we’ve made some inquiries internally and hopefully we can find out more,’ a spokesperson said.

‘We hope Liam is alright, 30 hours is a long time so it is a worry.’ 

Queensland footy player Liam Hampson was on the trip of a lifetime with footy mates

Liam Hampson (right) in Paris watching Lionel Messi play football