Corrie's Family Announces Reward For Missing Airman's Return

The grandparents of missing RAF airman Corrie McKeague have announced a five-figure reward for information leading to his discovery and return.

The 23-year-old vanished on the morning of Saturday 24th September 2016, after a night out with friends in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. His grandmother, Mary McKeague, said:

"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 10-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 Friday 23rd September, 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. Mary McKeague said: 

"He’s a handsome young man, about 5'10" with light brown hair and a cheeky grin."

Corrie's last sighting shows the missing senior aircraftman walking from a shop doorway and into a horseshoe-shaped area at 3.25am in Brentgovel Street, with no sighting of him emerging. Grandfather Oliver McKeague 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." 

Mary and Oliver McKeague, from Cupar in Fife, believe his disappearance may involve a third party. 

It comes after two suspected kidnapping attempts of military servicemen earlier this year - at RAF Marham and in Aldershot, the home of the British Army. Corrie's grandfather 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."

A Suffolk Police spokesperson, meanwhile, told Forces TV:

"There are no known links at this time to either of these incidents. However, police continue to investigate all possibilities."

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. The police spokesperson added:

"We are aware that Corrie's family, including his dad Martin and grandparents Mary and Oliver McKeague, are offering a reward for information to locate him. They, and we, are keen to gather as much information as possible to try and trace Corrie and we’d continue to urge anyone who can help to come forward."

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. 
 
For anyone who would like to make a donation to support the efforts of the Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue (SULSAR) team, you can do so at the crowdfunding site JustGiving.   

Don't miss Forces TV's special programme on Wednesday evening - Missing: #FindCorrie, at 7pm GMT.

More: Corrie's Mum Makes Emotional Appeal To Forces TV