The mystery of what happened to Brittanee Drexel may finally be unraveled now that authorities have found the remains of the New York teenager 30 miles away from where she vanished during spring break more than a decade ago.
In a room packed with press, law enforcement and family members, authorities confirmed Monday what had been speculated for days. A body found in a wooded area last week near Georgetown was that of the then 17-year-old. It was identified through dental records.
What’s more, a man taken into custody May 4 by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Department is now charged with murder, kidnapping and rape in connection with Drexel’s disappearance. Arrest warrants say 62-year-old Raymond Moody strangled the teenager April 25, 2009, the night she was last seen leaving a Myrtle Beach hotel. Authorities say he has confessed to killing Brittanee and gave them information that lead to the teenager's remains.
“This is truly a mother’s worst nightmare,” Dawn Drexel told reporters. “I am mourning my beautiful daughter today as I have for the last 13 years.”
The Drexel family thanked law enforcement for their tireless pursuit and the press for helping bring in leads by sharing Brittanee’s story. But they declined to take questions, asking for privacy while they mourn.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter,” said Dawn Drexel. “The search for Brittanee is now a pursuit of her justice.”
Authorities say Moody has an extensive record as a sex offender.
