Cops release CCTV images of potential witnesses who could help trace missing RAF man Corrie McKeague after family offer ‘five-figure’ reward

COPS hunting for a serviceman who has been missing for almost three months have released new CCTV images of potential witnesses in the hope they will help track him down.

Corrie McKeague, 23, was last seen in the early hours of September 24 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. He was reported missing when he failed to turn up at his base, RAF Honington, 10 miles from the town.

The CCTV images are of people police are trying to identify who were in Bury St Edmunds town centre between 3.15am and 5.20am.

Detective Superintendent Katie Elliott said: "It is important that we identify everyone who was in the area in the early hours of Saturday September 24, as someone could, unknowingly, hold a clue that can help us find Corrie."

Mr McKeague's mother Nicola Urquhart, from Dunfermline in Fife, said on Tuesday that she has "no faith" police will find her son, and she voiced concerns over the resources at the Suffolk force.

A crowdfunding campaign to hire a private investigator to search for her son exceeded its £20,000 target in less than two days.

The JustGiving page was set up by Cheryl Hickman, who runs the Suffolk hotel where Mrs Urquhart has been staying since her son went missing.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Louisa Pepper said she has "absolute confidence" in her team, and she insisted similar resources are being put into the search as would be used for a murder investigation.

The fundraising page says donations will be used to fund the appointment of a private investigator and a data analyst to go through the information gathered.

Mr McKeague's grandparents had earlier pledged a "five-figure reward" for information leading to his safe return.

Distraught grandparents Mary and Oliver McKeague announced the reward, as they feel his disappearance may involve a third party Corrie may have gone with.

Speaking on the reward, 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."

Devastated 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."

Corrie, who worked for the RAF as a gunner and team medic, was separated from his friends upon leaving the Flex nightclub on St Andrews Street South, his grandparents revealed.

He was last seen by CCTV cameras in Bury St Edmunds town centre at 3.25am.

Corrie was wearing a light pink Ralph Lauren shirt, white jeans and brown suede Timberland boots on the night of his disappearance.

The final frames of the CCTV footage show him walking from a shop doorway and into a horseshoe-shaped area in Brengtovel Street.

He does not re-emerge from the space.

Corrie’s grandfather Oliver explained: "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."

Meanwhile, an artist who draws designs on dirty vans has created an image to support Corrie’s family in their attempts to track the 23-year-old down.

Rick Minns has used his so-called “graffilthy art” to create an image of Corrie on an unwashed van, along with contact details for anyone who may have clues as to where he is.

Speaking on his design, Minns said: “Anything that can make a few more people aware - if it's seen by someone and leads to more information that would be great."

Corrie’s mother Nicola Urquhart has described Minns’ gesture as “amazing”, and said she hoped the “unusual” artwork would help find her son.

She said: "It really is a fantastic likeness, I really can't believe he has done that on a back of a van.

"It's so unusual; I've never seen anything like it before. I think it will get people talking."

The McKeague family are appealing for anyone with information about the night’s events to come forward.

Witnesses can contact the Suffolk Police incident room on 01473 782019, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "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."

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