A five-figure reward has been offered for information which helps to find missing RAF gunner Corrie McKeague.
The 23-year-old’s grandparents have travelled down from Scotland to make the announcement today.
Corrie, who is based at RAF Honington, has not been seen since disappearing on the morning of September 24 after a night out with friends in Bury St Edmunds.
A huge police operation has been underway since then to try and find him, which has involved scouring CCTV footage of the town and trying to identify anyone seen in it who may have met him that night.
Mary and Oliver McKeague, from Cupar in Fife, believe his disappearance may involve a third party that he may have gone with.
Oliver said: “Corrie’s base at RAF Honington is near two other military bases, RAF Marham to the north, and Aldershot Camp to the south, and each recently reported suspected kidnapping attempts of military servicemen.
“You could draw a near straight line on a map and connect all three. Corrie’s base is right in the middle.”
Mrs Mckeague added: “We’ve pledged this reward in hopes that it will motivate someone to come forward and help us find my beautiful grandson, Corrie, who went missing the day of his stepmother’s birthday.
“We’re heartbroken, but we’re not giving up. Corrie would expect us to stay strong.
“I can’t describe how empty and helpless you feel when a family member goes missing. This is what has happened to us. This is why we’re here. To ask for your help.
“We have pledged this reward following the now ten-week search involving local Suffolk police and military, The Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue organisation and masses of volunteers from in and around Bury St Edmunds. Their support has been incredible. Now we need someone to come forward.”
Corrie went out with friends in Bury St Edmunds on the evening of September 23, but was separated early the following morning while leaving the Flex nightclub on St Andrews Street South.
He was last seen in the town centre on CCTV at 3.25am wearing a light pink Ralph Lauren shirt, white jeans and brown suede timberland boots with light soles.
Corrie’s last sighting shows the young squaddie walking from a shop doorway and walking into a horseshoe-shaped area at 3.25am in Brentgovel Street and no sighting of him emerging.
Oliver said: “The CCTV cameras show him walking in but not coming out. He seems to have just vanished. But people don’t just vanish; they leave or they get taken away.”
“We think Corrie arranged to meet someone that night but we don’t know who, and then got into a car and disappeared.
“We know he didn’t just run away; he loved his fellow squaddies, his life and the career direction he had chosen.
“He was so proud the day he passed out and joined 2 Squadron RAF Regiment three years ago, and so were we.”
The McKeague family are asking for any information from anyone who may have been in the town that evening or who may know of Corrie’s whereabouts.
There are a number of ways to make contact if you think you may have seen Corrie or have information about his whereabouts, including the Suffolk police incident room on 01473 782019 or if you are not happy to talk to the police, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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