“20/20” Looks Back at the 2009 Disappearance of the Upstate N.Y. Teen

A Mother’s 13-Year Journey for Justice and an Exclusive Look at the FBI Investigation That Solved Her Daughter’s Murder

In April 2009, Dawn Drexel thought her 17-year-old daughter, Brittanee, was spending a few days at a friend’s house in Rochester, New York. Little did she know that Brittanee was actually on a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, without permission.

Brittanee was last seen exiting a Myrtle Beach hotel lobby. Her disappearance sparked a 13-year investigation that kept the Drexel family on edge and the nation in suspense.

A new “20/20” episode takes a behind-the-scenes look at the FBI investigation that solved Brittanee’s murder and the arrest and plea deal that brought justice to the family. The show features exclusive interviews with key members of the FBI investigative team and never-before-heard details of how they cracked the case.

Investigators identified Raymond Moody, a registered convicted sex offender, as a person of interest early on. However, it took years to gather enough evidence to charge him.

In 2022, Moody confessed to picking up Brittanee in a Ford Explorer, then raping and strangling her. He led investigators to a wooded area where he had buried her body.

Moody pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Dawn Drexel said she was shocked and angry when she learned that Moody was in custody. She had been fighting for justice for her daughter for 13 years.

At a memorial for Brittanee in 2022, Dawn Drexel thanked the FBI team that cracked the case. She presented them with a pendant with a picture of Brittanee on one side and the message “Thank you for finding me” on the other.

“There is nobody more singularly responsible for the resolution of this case than Dawn Drexel,” said FBI Special Agent Michael Connelly.

Brittanee Drexel’s case is a reminder of the importance of never giving up on the search for justice. It is also a testament to the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to solve crimes and bring closure to families.