RAF airman Corrie McKeague was troubled by pal's teen death but would never have climbed into bin, says emotional mum
MISSING Corrie McKeague had a "significant binge drinking problem" after a pal died as a teen but had "never" slept in a bin before, an inquest heard.
The RAF gunner, 23, has not been seen since a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on September 24, 2016.
Police believe Corrie climbed into a bin which was then tipped into a waste lorry.
An inquest heard today how the airman, who was stationed at RAF Honington, had experienced "major events" that shaped his life.
This included his parents splitting when he was ten and the tragic discovery of his best friend's body.
The hearing was told Corrie was just 15 when he found his pal on a track after she was killed instantly by a train.
His dad Martin McKeague said this caused him to develop a "significant binge drinking problem".
He added: "In his teenage years that impacted his emotional wellbeing and mired many of his relationships.
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"Following a visit to my home town in Cupar in 2016 shortly before his disappearance I once again had to have words with him about it.
"We had a falling out over it."
He explained the tragic discovery was a "terrible shock" and believes Corrie never "truly got over" it.
But Martin, who last spoke with his son on his birthday, September 16, when he sent him some money, said he didn't believe Corrie was "suicidal".
The inquest also heard a statement from the gunner's mum Nicola Urquhart, who said the tragedy had a "huge impact" on Corrie.
She revealed her son had been prescribed anti-depressants in the past but was "back to his usual happy self" by 2015.
Nicola added: "There was nothing to suggest Corrie had any problems or concerns around the time of his disappearance."
CORRIE MYSTERY
The inquest was told Corrie would "regularly lost his phone or wallet on nights out" but "was never aggressive".
The mum also said she believes her son "had never slept in a bin nor had he ever climbed into a bin to sleep".
His brother Darroch McKeague confirmed Corrie was due to return to Scotland for Halloween and was "looking forward" to a night out.
On the night he vanished, Corrie had drunk a "significant amount of alcohol", the hearing was told.
His final movements were tracked on CCTV before the last sighting at 3.25am on September 24 as he entered a horseshoe-shaped area in Brentgovel Street.
Despite a massive police investigation and search, Corrie remains missing.
The inquest continues.
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