Corrie Mckeague: Inquest into missing airman's death to open

Corrie Mckeague went missing after on a night out in September 2016

An inquest into the death of airman Corrie Mckeague is to be held, more than four years after he disappeared.

Mr Mckeague, 23, a gunner at RAF Honington, Suffolk, is believed to have died on 24 September 2016 after a night out in Bury St Edmunds.

Despite extensive searches, his body has never been found.

The Chief Coroner for England and Wales has now directed an inquest be held into his death, following a request from Mr Mckeague's family.

Mr Mckeague's mother, Nicola Urquhart, said the inquest process would result in "somebody that is completely independent, and not emotionally attached as we are, who can look at all the evidence".

She said: "Although I don't expect they're going to be able to tell us how he died, when he died or where he died, what we're hoping is that after looking at all the evidence, they will be able to tell me, and us as a family, that there is just nothing else that we could do or be able to do to find Corrie."

In a Facebook message earlier, she thanked people for their continued support.

An inquest is expected to open within the next two weeks with a full hearing to be held in 2021.

A Suffolk police investigation into the disappearance was handed to the cold case team in 2018.

Corrie Mckeague was last seen in Bury St Edmunds at about 03:20 BST on 24 September

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