News Summary
The Brittanee Drexel case has taken a significant turn as Angel Vause pleads guilty to making false statements to the FBI regarding the girl’s disappearance. This development arrives 13 years after Drexel vanished during a spring break trip. Vause’s falsehoods misled investigators about critical aspects of the case, including the circumstances surrounding Drexel’s kidnapping. With a sentencing hearing set for February 2025, the Drexel family expresses cautious optimism as they continue seeking justice for Brittanee.
Charleston, South Carolina – A Twist in a 13-Year-Old Mystery
The heart-wrenching case of Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old girl who disappeared during a spring break trip back in 2009, has taken another significant turn. Recently, Angel Vause, the girlfriend of convicted murderer Raymond Moody, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI regarding the case. The news has brought a mix of relief and sadness to those who have followed the tragic story over the years.
Falsehoods That Misled the Investigation
The guilty plea from Vause was no small matter. Facing charges of making three false statements, she misled FBI agents about vital details surrounding Drexel’s kidnapping, rape, and tragic murder. According to court documents, one of her most troubling claims was regarding Drexel’s cellphone. Vause had initially insisted that Drexel had her phone, when in fact, she had taken it and disposed of it somewhere between Georgetown and Charleston. This particular piece of misinformation had the potential to hinder the investigation significantly.
Moreover, Vause gave the FBI a false narrative about how Drexel came to be with her and Moody. She claimed that Drexel had joined them willingly to use drugs, while the truth is that the young woman was abducted under false pretenses. It’s deeply unsettling to consider how these lies could have impacted the search for Drexel during the initial investigation.
A Long-Lost Piece of the Puzzle
Brittanee Drexel went missing on April 25, 2009, after being seen on surveillance footage leaving her hotel to meet a friend. As potential witnesses continued to be questioned and leads chased down, the investigation dragged on until, at last, her remains were discovered in May 2022. After all those years, it felt like a fog had finally begun to lift.
Moody’s Confession and Vause’s Role
For those unfamiliar with the past events, Raymond Moody, the man convicted of Drexel’s murder, had pled guilty to charges, including kidnapping and raping the teenager. In October 2022, he was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 60 years, leaving many to wonder just how far the impact of his crime stretched.
Now, with Vause stepping forward to plead guilty, it opens the door to further discussions around her actions that enabled Moody. It has been suggested that her involvement was far more than simply lying to authorities. Prosecution documents have highlighted Vause’s behavior as “callous,” describing her actions as contributing to the chain of events that led to Drexel’s death.
A Chilling Admission
What makes this case particularly disturbing is the previous indication that Vause had expressed a desire to kidnap someone before Drexel’s abduction. She had, in fact, told investigators that it was a long-held fantasy of hers to “snatch some girl.” This alarming intention puts her role in the crime into a darker context and raises additional concerns regarding her mindset.
Looking Ahead
A sentencing hearing for Vause is set for February 13, 2025. Currently facing a maximum of five years for each count, she could end up with a sentence totaling up to 15 years. As this new chapter unfolds, the family of Brittanee Drexel has expressed relief at the progress being made in the case. With what feels like a small, yet important step towards justice, they remain cautiously optimistic about the outcome.
After 13 years, the quest for truth and justice continues. As legal proceedings proceed, it serves as a reminder of how complex and lengthy the path to resolution can be for families left to cope with unimaginable loss.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WMBF News: Dates Set for Civil Trials in Brittanee Drexel Case
- Post and Courier: Angel Vause Sentencing in Brittanee Drexel Murder Case
- ABC News 4: Claims About Angel Vause’s Presence During Brittanee Drexel’s Murder
- Law & Crime: Girlfriend of Murderer Admits Lying to FBI in Drexel Case
- WISTV: Attorneys Discuss Lawsuits Over Brittanee Drexel’s Killing
- Wikipedia: Brittanee Drexel
- Google Search: Brittanee Drexel Case
- Google Scholar: Brittanee Drexel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Brittanee Drexel
- Google News: Brittanee Drexel
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
