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Over 15 years after Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old on spring break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, went missing, shocking new details have surfaced about her tragic fate. In a jailhouse interview, Raymond Moody, the man convicted of her abduction and murder, described the role his girlfriend, Angel Vause, allegedly played in the crime.
A Carefully Planned Crime
Raymond Moody, now 64, is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to Brittanee Drexel’s murder in October 2022. During a three-hour interview with federal agents, Moody detailed how he and his girlfriend, Angel Vause, drove through Myrtle Beach on April 25, 2009, searching for a victim.
On that fateful night, Brittanee was walking alone. She had been staying with friends at separate hotels and had borrowed clothes from another girl staying nearby. While walking to return the borrowed clothing, she crossed paths with Moody and Vause.
According to Moody, Vause approached Brittanee, assuming that as a woman, she could more easily earn the teen’s trust. The couple pretended to be tourists and offered Brittanee a ride to her hotel.
A Deceptive Offer of Help
Unaware of the danger, Brittanee accepted their offer and got into the SUV. Moody, who was driving, pretended to get lost before handing the wheel over to Vause. It was then that Moody restrained Brittanee and revealed their true intentions.
The couple drove her to a secluded area along the Santee River, where they had prepared a tent. Moody left Brittanee with Vause while he returned to his apartment. Upon returning, he committed unspeakable acts, which he later confessed to during his interview with the FBI.
While Moody described his crimes in graphic detail, he stated that Vause did not directly participate in the physical assault but was present during the ordeal. Moody admitted to ending Brittanee’s life and burying her in a shallow grave near the river.
The Accomplice’s Role
Moody also shared how Vause was attracted to his criminal past. He claimed she had expressed a desire to join him in his disturbing actions. In text messages shared with investigators, Moody said he asked her, “So you want to go hunting with me, huh?” to which she allegedly replied, “Yeah.”
Though Vause denied her involvement for years, federal prosecutors uncovered evidence that contradicted her claims. She pleaded guilty in September 2022 to three counts of making false statements to the FBI. According to court documents, Vause lied about her whereabouts on the night of the crime and provided false testimony about the events that unfolded.
A Case That Went Cold for Years
For years, Brittanee Drexel’s disappearance remained a cold case. Despite widespread media coverage, investigators were unable to uncover conclusive evidence. The case grew more complex as false leads and unreliable testimony muddied the investigation.
In 2016, the FBI determined Brittanee was no longer alive, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the truth came to light. Raymond Moody ultimately turned himself in, providing a detailed confession that helped authorities finally bring closure to Brittanee’s grieving family.
The Aftermath
Brittanee’s remains were identified using dental records. Moody was charged with kidnapping, murder, and other related crimes. During his sentencing, he admitted to being a "monster" who had destroyed lives. His confession also implicated Vause, who is now facing a potential 24-year prison sentence for her role in covering up the crime and lying to federal agents.
A Tragic Reminder
This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the dangers lurking in seemingly safe environments. It also highlights the resilience of investigators who, despite years of setbacks, continued their pursuit of justice for Brittanee Drexel.
As the community mourns the loss of a bright young woman, her family holds onto her memory, fighting for harsher penalties for crimes of this nature to ensure no other family has to endure such pain.
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