The father of missing airman Corrie McKeague has spoken of his torment ahead of the fifth anniversary his son’s disappearance.
The 23-year-old RAF gunner vanished during a night out with friends in the early hours of September 24, 2016.
Thursday would have been his 28th birthday.
Dad Martin McKeague, 53, hopes an inquest next March will help bring him closure over losing Corrie.
He said: "My life stopped the day my son Corrie went missing.
"I'm still really struggling to come to terms with it.
"I miss Corrie every day he's in my thoughts every day and I just want some dignity for him.
“All we want is the truth to come out.”
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A full inquest into Corrie's death will be held in front of a jury next March.
Martin, of Fife, Scotland, said: "It's really important for us as a family - the McKeague family.
"It will all come out in the end, the truth will be coming out.
"I believe it's important the files and evidence will be read out for everybody to see.
"The public will hear what happened and be able to make up their own minds.
"It's been so hard but it will maybe start the process for me."
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Corrie was last seen alive walking through the streets of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
He was reported missing two days later by colleagues at nearby RAF Honington.
No trace of him has been found despite a lengthy and expensive police probe.
A review of the investigation concluded Corrie climbed into a bin which was later taken to a tip by a waste lorry.
But a lengthy operation at a landfill site failed to find his body.
Martin and wife Trisha travelled down from Scotland and lived in a motorhome to join searches.
Martin added: "I'm a dad that went above and beyond to get his son back.
"I have knocked on doors and stayed out at night time searching across Suffolk.
"I was prepared to do anything and I still am."
A pre-inquest review hearing is due to take place later this month.
The full inquest will then begin on March 7 next year.
Martin, who is planning to attend the hearing, said: "We are all focusing on what will happen at the inquest.
"My son deserves a bit of dignity, where has Corrie's voice been in all of this?
"We hope the inquest jury come to the right conclusion."
