The family of missing man Corrie McKeague believe a criminal investigation should take place if he is not found by police searching landfill for the RAF gunner.
The 23-year-old went missing ten months ago and Suffolk police have been scouring thousands of tonnes of landfill for any sign of him for more than 20 weeks.
On Thursday his mother Nicola Urquhart admitted her son, who was based at RAF Honington for three years, may never be found.
Police also conceded the landfill search could stop before they find Corrie, even if they are still confident he is in the landfill. So far the search has cost more than £1million.
Mrs Urquhart said “stopping half way through should never be an option”, adding: “The police have been so positive when talking to me and the press that Corrie is in the landfill.
“I have tried to wait quietly, patiently and remain positive that they will either find Corrie or get to the end of the search and find nothing. I was told by police that if Corrie was not found in the landfill this investigation would become a criminal investigation, which I agree with.
“I understand that Corrie may never be found. I am realistic and we will find a way to deal with that scenario but it would have to be knowing that a sound investigation had been carried out and there are no other lines of enquiry that could be followed. We are still a long way off that.”
Corrie, from Fife in Scotland, was last seen at 3.24am on September 24, 2016, on Brentgovel Street, Bury St Edmunds. Since March 6 police have been searching a landfill near Cambridge on the belief he may have been transported there in a bin lorry.
Mrs Urquhart, who has three sons, said: “Mistakes have been made, I try not to live in the past as I can’t change what’s already happened but it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to remain quiet.
“He is no more special than your child, brother or father – everyone deserves to know the police would thoroughly investigate if something happened to them. Stopping half way through should never be an option.”
A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said nothing to suggest criminal activity has been identified during a “comprehensive and thorough” enquiry.
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