Brittanee Drexel's family has been given some answers, 13 years after the teen's disappearance.
Authorities have announced that they've discovered the remains of the 17-year-old Rochester, New York, native. Brittanee Drexel was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in April 2009 on a spring break trip with friends. She was last seen alive on April 25, 2009, while walking from one hotel to another. By the end of the day, friends and family were unable to contact her and began working with authorities.
Drexel's family is understandably devastated by this latest development, but it also comes with some hope. An arrest has been made in Drexel's murder, and they are now looking forward to getting justice for the bright young woman whose life was cut far too short.
On May 16, 2022, officials announced the arrest of Raymond Douglas Moody of Georgetown, South Carolina. A sex offender with a serious criminal history, he was initially arrested on an obstruction of justice charge on May 4. Those charges were upgraded to include murder, rape, and kidnapping in connection to Brittanee Drexel's death after her remains were found.
Moody was first named as a person of interest in the case in August 2011. Police have remained quiet about what led to this break in the case that has brought him to face charges over a decade later.
Drexel's remains were found on May 12 in a wooded area 2½ miles from where Moody lived at the time of her disappearance. They were identified using dental records. Her death was ultimately caused by strangulation.
"The why may never be known or understood," Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver said at the press conference.
"But today, this task force can confidently and without hesitation answer the rest of those questions along with the 'Who is responsible?'"
Sheriff Weaver shared his thoughts for the family, who have endured many wild twists and turns in this case as rumors flooded police's early investigations into Drexel's disappearance.
"To the Drexel family, we mourn with you and pray for you as you cope with the tragedy of 13 years ago," Weaver said.
"No one deserves to go through this and our hearts go out to you. Our only hope is that this finding allows your family to grieve properly for Brittanee."
Brittanee Drexel's mother, Dawn Drexel, spoke on behalf of the family at the press conference.
"This is truly a mother's worst nightmare. I am mourning my beautiful daughter Brittanee as I have for the past 13 years," she shared.
"But today, it's bittersweet. We are much closer to the closure and the peace that we have been desperately hoping for."
Dawn also shared the family's intention to celebrate her daughter's life, both in Rochester and Myrtle Beach.
"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter," she said.
"The search for Brittanee is now a pursuit for Brittanee's justice."
