Remains of Brittanee Drexel, teen who disappeared from Myrtle Beach 13 years ago, found

The remains of a teenager from Rochester, New York, who went missing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 13 years ago have been found.

Brittanee Drexel, 17, was reported missing from Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach on April 25, 2009. Her body was discovered less than a week ago on May 11 — buried in Georgetown County.

She was identified through dental records with DNA analysis confirming the identification.

Authorities announced that 62-year-old Raymond Douglas Moody, of Georgetown, has been charged with murder, kidnapping and first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Drexel's case.

The Georgetown County Sheriff said Moody has an extensive sex offender criminal history.

"We mourn with you and pray for you as you cope with the tragedies of 13 years ago," Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver said to Drexel's family on Monday. "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."

"Obviously, justice is never going to be good enough. That's the fallacy in all of this. yet, somehow, we're going to do our very best to see that Raymond Moody pays for what he's done here, but that is not going to replace Brittanee," said 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.

Brittanee's mother, Dawn Drexel, said the family is slowly processing everything that has come to light.

"This is truly a mother's worst nightmare. I am mourning my beautiful daughter, Brittanee, as I have been for 13 years but today, it's bittersweet. We are much closer to the closure and the peace that we have been desperately hoping for," said Dawn Drexel.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter," she said. "The search for Brittanee is now a pursuit of Brittanee's justice."

Brittanee's mother said the family will hold a celebration of life in both Rochester, New York, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on dates to be provided at a later time.