The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Mum praises police as tip search draws a blank
LANDFILL: Family is satisfied Corrie is not at site after thorough investigation
The mother of missing Fife airman Corrie Mckeague says she is refusing to give up hope of finding her son after the search of a landfill site drew to a close.
Teams of volunteers have been scouring the Milton landfill since October in a bid to find Corrie, who vanished following a night out in Bury-st-edmunds on September 23 2016.
Police have been working on the theory that the 23-year-old climbed into a waste bin and was taken away by a bin lorry.
However, the landfill site operation, which followed weeks of searching earlier this year, came to an end yesterday – and will no doubt prompt more questions than answers as to what became of the RAF gunner.
Writing on social media, Corrie’s mum Nicola Urquhart said she was content her son is not in the landfill, having said from the start that he was either still in the area, left on foot, or left in a vehicle.
“Our gratitude to Suffolk and Norfolk MIT for following this line of inquiry to what is most certainly beyond reasonable levels is unwavering.”
Ms Urquhart continued: “This is the first time in this investigation I have been updated and completely agree that nothing else can be done in relation to searching (this landfill area).
“The search team have carried out an extremely physical and emotional task.
“I would hope that the invaluable knowledge they have now gained can be used with other forces should any other family find themselves in our position.
“I know how hard they have tried to find Corrie and we will never be able to thank them enough for their efforts.
“What I can say is that, had Corrie been in that landfill, they would have found him.
“The peace of mind they have given me is immeasurable. I will no longer picture my son in that landfill.
“The investigation to find Corrie is still very much a live investigation, we are still a very long way off saying that all that can be done has.”
The primary hypothesis – that Corrie
“
What I can say is that, had Corrie been in that landfill, they would have found him. NICOLA URQUHART
ended up in the waste disposal process – was endorsed by a review of the investigation undertaken by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.
The unit officers who conducted the review were given access to all of the information, including all of the witness statements.
Detective Superintendent Katie Elliott said: “There are a number of other theories about what could have happened to Corrie and we are continuing to test the evidence to help us understand what happened to Corrie, which will assist in providing answers to his family.
“We feel it is important to explain to the family what we are doing, so they have the opportunity to understand and question what we have done, and why we have done it.
“We are acutely aware of the immense strain the last 15 months has placed upon Corrie’s loved ones. We want them to be confident we are doing everything that it is practical for us to do as we strive to find Corrie.”
csmith@thecourier.co.uk