GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina say the man they have in custody for the murder of Chili teen Brittanee Drexel, confessed to the crime.
The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office says Raymond Moody, 62, was a person of interest early in the case. He was recently taken into custody on an obstruction of justice charge, investigators say.
According to police, that's when he admitted to raping and killing Drexel on April 25, 2009. The sheriff's office says Moody led them to Drexel's body buried on the property of his Georgetown home. Her remains were positively identified using dental records and DNA.
Moody, who police say is a convicted sex offender, has been charged with murder, kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct. He is currently being held without bond in a South Carolina jail.
Drexel disappeared from a hotel in Myrtle Beach, about 30 miles north of where Moody lives. She was just 17 years old at the time she was killed. Her case gained nationwide attention and has remained a mystery for 13 years.
“Every police officer has that one case that frequents their every waking thought,” said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock. “This was that case for many people.”
Few other details have been released in the case, but Drexel's family now has some definitive answers. Drexel's mother says they are now focused on pursuing justice for their daughter.