1 00:00:08,674 --> 00:00:11,610 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:11,612 --> 00:00:18,450 ♪ ♪ 3 00:00:24,391 --> 00:00:26,758 - She's walking at a quick pace. 4 00:00:26,827 --> 00:00:29,294 You can tell that she's comfortable with nobody 5 00:00:29,363 --> 00:00:30,995 Behind her. 6 00:00:30,997 --> 00:00:35,567 And within minutes, she has vanished into thin air. 7 00:00:35,569 --> 00:00:39,704 - I said, what do you mean, they can't find her? 8 00:00:39,773 --> 00:00:44,809 ♪ ♪ 9 00:00:44,879 --> 00:00:48,113 - Her mother, dawn, left rochester for myrtle beach 10 00:00:48,181 --> 00:00:51,984 After brittanee disappeared. 11 00:00:52,052 --> 00:00:54,686 - Helicopters, atvs, horseback. 12 00:00:54,755 --> 00:00:56,421 ♪ ♪ 13 00:00:56,490 --> 00:01:01,092 - I saw what was it like to lose a child. 14 00:01:01,094 --> 00:01:03,895 - I had to find my daughter, and I wasn't going 15 00:01:03,897 --> 00:01:07,666 To stop until I got answers. 16 00:01:07,734 --> 00:01:14,606 ♪ ♪ 17 00:01:23,049 --> 00:01:27,552 [upbeat music] 18 00:01:27,554 --> 00:01:31,890 - April 2009, brittanee drexel, 19 00:01:31,958 --> 00:01:34,159 A 17-year-old high school junior, 20 00:01:34,228 --> 00:01:38,363 Is living life to the fullest as an outgoing young woman 21 00:01:38,432 --> 00:01:41,866 In her hometown of rochester, new york. 22 00:01:41,935 --> 00:01:45,437 - Brittanee was just an awesome kid, 23 00:01:45,505 --> 00:01:48,973 Very happy, carefree. 24 00:01:49,043 --> 00:01:53,111 She was very popular in school. 25 00:01:53,179 --> 00:01:56,548 Everybody just loved her. 26 00:01:56,617 --> 00:02:00,251 - We met through some mutual friends, started hanging 27 00:02:00,321 --> 00:02:02,420 Out like normal teenagers. 28 00:02:02,489 --> 00:02:03,956 She just loved going and doing things. 29 00:02:04,024 --> 00:02:06,625 She wasn't somebody that liked to sit still. 30 00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:08,860 - When she was younger, brittanee 31 00:02:08,929 --> 00:02:12,731 Was very sassy, loved to perform in front of people. 32 00:02:12,799 --> 00:02:17,468 She used to sing, and she would put on shows for us 33 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:19,238 In the backyard. 34 00:02:19,306 --> 00:02:21,840 She was a great kid. 35 00:02:23,077 --> 00:02:27,145 - When brittanee turned seven, the drexel family welcomes 36 00:02:27,214 --> 00:02:30,181 Another child, myrissa. 37 00:02:30,251 --> 00:02:33,685 - When myrissa came along, she was very excited to have 38 00:02:33,754 --> 00:02:34,486 A little sister. 39 00:02:34,554 --> 00:02:37,255 And she was like a second mom. 40 00:02:37,324 --> 00:02:39,424 She would always help me. 41 00:02:39,493 --> 00:02:42,160 She would want to hold her all the time. 42 00:02:42,229 --> 00:02:45,797 She would want to feed her and play with her. 43 00:02:45,866 --> 00:02:48,166 And she loved being a big sister. 44 00:02:48,234 --> 00:02:52,303 - We had that bond where we could just play and talk 45 00:02:52,305 --> 00:02:55,840 About things, or we could have those mother-daughter 46 00:02:55,909 --> 00:02:57,375 Talks with each other. 47 00:02:57,444 --> 00:03:00,912 And she was always there when I needed her. 48 00:03:00,981 --> 00:03:03,081 [soft music] 49 00:03:03,149 --> 00:03:07,519 - Six years after myrissa was born, camden came along. 50 00:03:07,587 --> 00:03:09,922 And brittanee was a lot older. 51 00:03:09,990 --> 00:03:12,324 Camden was her baby. 52 00:03:12,392 --> 00:03:15,259 Like, she just adored camden. 53 00:03:15,261 --> 00:03:19,831 ♪ ♪ 54 00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:21,933 - My sister was a social butterfly. 55 00:03:22,002 --> 00:03:26,037 She had millions, billions of friends. 56 00:03:26,039 --> 00:03:27,439 She was full of energy. 57 00:03:27,507 --> 00:03:29,574 She was a spitfire. 58 00:03:29,642 --> 00:03:31,710 She was full of-- 59 00:03:31,778 --> 00:03:34,412 I don't know what word I want to use. 60 00:03:34,481 --> 00:03:36,414 She was full of life. 61 00:03:36,483 --> 00:03:38,917 ♪ ♪ 62 00:03:38,985 --> 00:03:41,085 - That year, brittanee starts dating 63 00:03:41,087 --> 00:03:46,424 Her first real boyfriend, a classmate named john grieco. 64 00:03:46,493 --> 00:03:50,094 - When we first met him, he had come over to the house 65 00:03:50,164 --> 00:03:53,031 Because he wanted brittanee to go to prom with him. 66 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:55,233 You know, she was going on 16. 67 00:03:55,302 --> 00:03:57,469 And we had said, sure, bring him over. 68 00:03:57,537 --> 00:04:00,238 You know, we'll meet him and stuff. 69 00:04:00,307 --> 00:04:02,440 John came from a great family. 70 00:04:02,509 --> 00:04:04,242 His parents are super nice. 71 00:04:04,311 --> 00:04:06,110 And brittanee adored him. 72 00:04:06,180 --> 00:04:08,647 ♪ ♪ 73 00:04:08,715 --> 00:04:11,850 - She had a lot of big, big dreams and goals. 74 00:04:11,918 --> 00:04:13,285 She wanted to move out of rochester. 75 00:04:13,353 --> 00:04:15,620 That was a huge thing. 76 00:04:15,689 --> 00:04:19,424 - My sister was into fashion. 77 00:04:19,426 --> 00:04:21,560 - Brittanee liked making clothes. 78 00:04:21,628 --> 00:04:23,962 She had quite a few drawings. 79 00:04:24,030 --> 00:04:28,132 She would, like, dye jeans with a bleach, 80 00:04:28,202 --> 00:04:31,770 And her friends would buy them and stuff. 81 00:04:31,838 --> 00:04:34,572 And she also wanted to model. 82 00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:37,676 She said, I'm going to have six kids, 83 00:04:37,744 --> 00:04:40,244 And my husband's going to stay home with them. 84 00:04:40,246 --> 00:04:41,479 And I'm going to go to work. 85 00:04:41,548 --> 00:04:44,482 And I'm like, yeah, good luck with that. 86 00:04:44,551 --> 00:04:48,787 ♪ ♪ 87 00:04:48,855 --> 00:04:51,223 - When brittanee is in her junior year, 88 00:04:51,291 --> 00:04:53,758 Her parents decide to divorce. 89 00:04:53,827 --> 00:04:58,563 It throws her into a tailspin. 90 00:04:58,632 --> 00:05:00,532 - She was upset about the divorce going on. 91 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,301 It hurt, you know? 92 00:05:02,369 --> 00:05:04,936 And of course, as a child, you're going through emotions. 93 00:05:05,005 --> 00:05:07,939 And, you know, there's a lot of emotion there. 94 00:05:10,377 --> 00:05:12,977 - It took a while for brittanee to come down when 95 00:05:12,979 --> 00:05:15,313 She was angry, to come down from it. 96 00:05:15,382 --> 00:05:18,516 There was a lot going on at that time, 97 00:05:18,585 --> 00:05:22,721 And a lot of her schoolwork was falling behind. 98 00:05:22,789 --> 00:05:28,359 And so brittanee had asked 99 00:05:28,361 --> 00:05:30,128 About going to myrtle beach. 100 00:05:30,197 --> 00:05:33,932 ♪ ♪ 101 00:05:33,934 --> 00:05:36,434 - Spring break here, everyone leaves. 102 00:05:36,436 --> 00:05:39,738 It's either still really cold, wintry, 103 00:05:39,806 --> 00:05:42,774 Or it's rain and gloomy out. 104 00:05:44,044 --> 00:05:47,278 Myrtle beach was a party scene, 105 00:05:47,347 --> 00:05:50,615 Good city for teenagers who 106 00:05:50,684 --> 00:05:52,817 Want to go out and have fun or people 107 00:05:52,819 --> 00:05:55,353 In their young adulthood. 108 00:05:55,422 --> 00:05:57,388 ♪ ♪ 109 00:05:57,458 --> 00:05:58,723 - I told her, I said, brittanee, 110 00:05:58,792 --> 00:06:00,391 I don't think that's a good idea. 111 00:06:00,393 --> 00:06:01,459 I said, you know, I want you to get 112 00:06:01,461 --> 00:06:02,894 Caught up on your schoolwork. 113 00:06:02,963 --> 00:06:05,597 She's like, well, mom, I want to go. 114 00:06:05,665 --> 00:06:07,098 I want to go to myrtle beach. 115 00:06:07,167 --> 00:06:10,502 And I just told her, you know, you're not going. 116 00:06:13,907 --> 00:06:15,707 And she goes, why, mom? 117 00:06:15,776 --> 00:06:17,842 I said, you're not going to myrtle beach. 118 00:06:17,844 --> 00:06:20,979 I said, there's no parental supervision. 119 00:06:22,382 --> 00:06:24,749 I said, I don't know the kid you're going with. 120 00:06:24,818 --> 00:06:28,386 And I said, something's going to happen to you. 121 00:06:28,455 --> 00:06:30,255 And brittanee said, mom, nothing's 122 00:06:30,323 --> 00:06:31,523 Going to happen to me. 123 00:06:31,591 --> 00:06:32,924 I'll be fine. 124 00:06:32,993 --> 00:06:35,660 And I said, well, brittanee, you're not going. 125 00:06:35,729 --> 00:06:38,997 So about an hour later, she said, mom, 126 00:06:39,065 --> 00:06:41,532 Since it's my spring break, can I 127 00:06:41,534 --> 00:06:43,568 Go stay at my friend's house? 128 00:06:43,636 --> 00:06:47,606 And I told her it was ok for her to stay there. 129 00:06:49,843 --> 00:06:52,878 - On the night of April 22, 2009, 130 00:06:52,946 --> 00:06:56,514 Unbeknownst to her family, brittanee and two classmates, 131 00:06:56,583 --> 00:07:01,419 Alanna and jennifer, begin a 13-hour drive to myrtle beach, 132 00:07:01,488 --> 00:07:03,755 South carolina. 133 00:07:06,259 --> 00:07:09,027 - I had called her, and I said--you know, I said, 134 00:07:09,095 --> 00:07:10,528 Brit, what are you doing? 135 00:07:10,597 --> 00:07:12,297 And she's like, well, you know, I'm going 136 00:07:12,365 --> 00:07:13,631 To go to my friend's house. 137 00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:15,433 We're going to watch a movie or whatever. 138 00:07:15,501 --> 00:07:17,602 And she says, I love you. 139 00:07:17,671 --> 00:07:19,904 And I told her-- I said, I love you too. 140 00:07:19,906 --> 00:07:22,540 - Me and my mom thought she was here. 141 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,577 But in reality, she wasn't. 142 00:07:25,645 --> 00:07:28,246 I told her I missed her. 143 00:07:28,314 --> 00:07:30,815 And then I said, wait, before you hang up, 144 00:07:30,884 --> 00:07:34,519 I want to say, goodbye, I love you, one more time. 145 00:07:34,588 --> 00:07:36,988 That's the last time I heard her voice. 146 00:07:40,126 --> 00:07:42,293 - With her family still none the wiser, 147 00:07:42,295 --> 00:07:44,462 The girls arrive at the resort town 148 00:07:44,531 --> 00:07:47,766 On the morning of April 23rd. 149 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:50,001 But as her sister will later learn, 150 00:07:50,070 --> 00:07:53,305 After two days at the beach, brittanee's spring break 151 00:07:53,373 --> 00:07:56,174 Isn't going as planned. 152 00:07:56,242 --> 00:07:58,076 - She was texting john. 153 00:07:58,144 --> 00:08:00,712 John couldn't go because he was working. 154 00:08:00,780 --> 00:08:02,947 So he had to stay back. 155 00:08:02,949 --> 00:08:06,151 But john knew the whole time. 156 00:08:09,756 --> 00:08:12,623 - On Saturday evening, April 25th, 157 00:08:12,625 --> 00:08:15,526 Brittanee texts john that she needs a break from the girls 158 00:08:15,596 --> 00:08:17,528 She traveled with. 159 00:08:17,530 --> 00:08:19,063 - The girls she went down with, I think, 160 00:08:19,065 --> 00:08:20,965 Were a year or two older than her. 161 00:08:20,967 --> 00:08:25,837 And because they're girls, they're young teenage girls, 162 00:08:25,905 --> 00:08:27,205 And they were fighting. 163 00:08:27,274 --> 00:08:30,041 She told john she felt alienated and alone. 164 00:08:30,110 --> 00:08:32,010 She wanted to come back home. 165 00:08:32,078 --> 00:08:34,712 - Brittanee tells john that she ran into one 166 00:08:34,781 --> 00:08:36,915 Of her classmates, peter brozowitz, 167 00:08:36,983 --> 00:08:41,119 And has decided to go visit him at his hotel. 168 00:08:41,187 --> 00:08:46,858 Around 9:15 p.M., brittanee abruptly stops texting john. 169 00:08:46,926 --> 00:08:48,726 It's unlike her. 170 00:08:48,795 --> 00:08:52,230 So he worriedly calls her family. 171 00:08:52,299 --> 00:08:55,800 - John said, brittanee's in myrtle beach, 172 00:08:55,868 --> 00:08:57,435 And they can't find her. 173 00:08:57,504 --> 00:09:00,672 I said, what do you mean, they can't find her? 174 00:09:00,740 --> 00:09:03,375 I was livid. 175 00:09:03,443 --> 00:09:05,743 I said, I can't believe she went to myrtle beach. 176 00:09:05,812 --> 00:09:08,980 Because she had never done that in the past, 177 00:09:09,049 --> 00:09:12,083 Like, lied to me or anything like that. 178 00:09:14,020 --> 00:09:15,553 John came to my house. 179 00:09:15,622 --> 00:09:18,890 We were calling the kids that were in myrtle beach. 180 00:09:18,959 --> 00:09:21,059 The girls wouldn't answer their phone. 181 00:09:21,127 --> 00:09:24,028 I kept calling brittanee's phone. 182 00:09:24,030 --> 00:09:26,030 And it would ring, and it would ring. 183 00:09:26,032 --> 00:09:31,069 And then it went directly to voicemail. 184 00:09:31,137 --> 00:09:33,505 Every time I called peter, peter answered 185 00:09:33,573 --> 00:09:35,907 The phone every single time. 186 00:09:35,975 --> 00:09:39,711 But he's like, I'm not her babysitter. 187 00:09:39,779 --> 00:09:42,046 And at that point, I said, you know, 188 00:09:42,115 --> 00:09:43,381 We need to get in touch with myrtle 189 00:09:43,449 --> 00:09:45,049 Beach police department. 190 00:09:45,051 --> 00:09:46,918 - Dawn calls the myrtle beach police 191 00:09:46,987 --> 00:09:49,187 To report brittanee is missing, 192 00:09:49,255 --> 00:09:50,822 But she doesn't stop there. 193 00:09:50,890 --> 00:09:55,226 She decides to drive to south carolina herself. 194 00:09:55,295 --> 00:09:59,597 - My mom said, listen, you're going to go with your dad 195 00:09:59,666 --> 00:10:01,365 For a couple days. 196 00:10:01,435 --> 00:10:03,134 I have to go. 197 00:10:03,202 --> 00:10:06,337 And all of a sudden, I went to go look at my phone. 198 00:10:06,406 --> 00:10:10,574 There's a mass text sent out from john grieco, 199 00:10:10,576 --> 00:10:14,412 And it's my sister's picture and missing information. 200 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:16,881 And I said, what is this? 201 00:10:16,950 --> 00:10:20,351 [dramatic music] 202 00:10:20,420 --> 00:10:22,654 Then I started crying. And I'm shocked. 203 00:10:22,722 --> 00:10:24,755 And I'm like, brittanee's missing? 204 00:10:24,757 --> 00:10:27,826 I just was in a state of shock. 205 00:10:29,062 --> 00:10:30,528 - We got everything together. 206 00:10:30,596 --> 00:10:34,098 I think we left about maybe 11:00 the next morning. 207 00:10:34,167 --> 00:10:37,268 And it was a long ride. 208 00:10:37,337 --> 00:10:41,606 My phone was blowing up, with her friends calling me, 209 00:10:41,675 --> 00:10:43,674 Crying, screaming. 210 00:10:43,744 --> 00:10:45,276 You know, where's brittanee? 211 00:10:45,345 --> 00:10:48,179 As soon as I would hang up with someone, 212 00:10:48,248 --> 00:10:50,414 My phone would ring again. 213 00:10:50,483 --> 00:10:53,251 Like, alls I knew is I had to find my daughter. 214 00:10:53,319 --> 00:10:59,157 And I wasn't going to stop until I got answers. 215 00:10:59,225 --> 00:11:02,193 - A mother embarks on a relentless quest-- 216 00:11:02,262 --> 00:11:04,062 - I said, I'm done with the bullsh--. 217 00:11:04,130 --> 00:11:06,864 I said, I want my daughter found. 218 00:11:06,933 --> 00:11:08,566 - While the police drilled down 219 00:11:08,635 --> 00:11:11,269 On one suspect after another. 220 00:11:15,408 --> 00:11:18,442 - There wasn't enough to arrest him. 221 00:11:18,511 --> 00:11:21,012 And he said, you're smart. You'll figure it out. 222 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:22,813 - It felt like a roller coaster. 223 00:11:22,883 --> 00:11:24,849 You're just like, is she ever going to be found? 224 00:11:26,251 --> 00:11:31,322 [dramatic music] 225 00:11:31,391 --> 00:11:33,557 ♪ ♪ 226 00:11:33,627 --> 00:11:35,827 - After learning that her daughter, brittanee drexel, 227 00:11:35,895 --> 00:11:40,298 Is missing in myrtle beach, south carolina, her mom, dawn, 228 00:11:40,366 --> 00:11:42,900 Immediately begins driving there from her home 229 00:11:42,969 --> 00:11:46,904 In upstate new york, 800 miles away. 230 00:11:46,973 --> 00:11:51,509 ♪ ♪ 231 00:11:51,578 --> 00:11:57,248 - So I get to myrtle beach, and I go to the police station. 232 00:11:57,316 --> 00:12:00,585 - But officers tell dawn that with no evidence of a crime, 233 00:12:00,653 --> 00:12:04,656 There's little law enforcement can do. 234 00:12:04,724 --> 00:12:07,091 When she describes the argument she had 235 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,861 With her daughter about spring break, they suggest 236 00:12:09,929 --> 00:12:11,395 That could be why brittanee isn't 237 00:12:11,397 --> 00:12:13,932 Responding to calls and texts. 238 00:12:16,603 --> 00:12:19,337 - You've got bits of evidence that's 239 00:12:19,405 --> 00:12:21,973 Saying she ran away from home. 240 00:12:22,041 --> 00:12:24,475 She rebelled against her mama. 241 00:12:24,544 --> 00:12:27,679 It's the day before she's supposed to go back. 242 00:12:27,747 --> 00:12:31,615 The idea that a young girl has just run away, 243 00:12:31,685 --> 00:12:35,486 But it is something that the police consider every time. 244 00:12:35,555 --> 00:12:37,888 - My mom knew my sister was not a runaway. 245 00:12:37,890 --> 00:12:41,392 No matter how much bad was going on in my sister's life 246 00:12:41,461 --> 00:12:44,863 At that point, she know my sister wouldn't have ran away. 247 00:12:48,835 --> 00:12:52,370 - After failing to gain any traction with law enforcement, 248 00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:55,907 Dawn decides to take a different approach. 249 00:12:55,975 --> 00:12:58,776 - I go straight to the media. 250 00:12:58,845 --> 00:13:00,511 I went to channel 13. 251 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:03,615 And, you know, I said, my daughter is missing. 252 00:13:03,683 --> 00:13:06,450 You know, I want to get her name and face out there. 253 00:13:06,452 --> 00:13:09,921 - Her mother, dawn, left rochester for myrtle beach 254 00:13:09,989 --> 00:13:11,589 After brittanee disappeared. 255 00:13:11,657 --> 00:13:14,558 - To feel, you know, that you don't know where your child 256 00:13:14,627 --> 00:13:16,928 Is, you don't know if they're alive, 257 00:13:16,996 --> 00:13:20,064 You don't know if they're hurt, it's horrible. 258 00:13:23,670 --> 00:13:26,070 I figured I'd be able to find her, you know? 259 00:13:26,138 --> 00:13:27,772 And I'd have her back in a couple of days, 260 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:29,540 And we'd just go home. 261 00:13:29,609 --> 00:13:34,078 And we just started looking everywhere. 262 00:13:34,147 --> 00:13:36,947 Like, on ocean boulevard, we're talking 263 00:13:36,949 --> 00:13:42,186 To people, seeing if people seen her, showed her picture. 264 00:13:42,188 --> 00:13:46,057 And we were putting posters up. 265 00:13:46,125 --> 00:13:50,561 So we did that probably for about a good solid week. 266 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:53,731 ♪ ♪ 267 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,800 - As dawn continues to search, her media efforts 268 00:13:56,802 --> 00:13:58,869 Catch the attention of the police 269 00:13:58,939 --> 00:14:01,839 And spurs them to action. 270 00:14:01,908 --> 00:14:04,742 Detectives begin by interviewing the last person 271 00:14:04,811 --> 00:14:07,311 Dawn believes saw brittanee on the night she 272 00:14:07,380 --> 00:14:11,615 Vanished, her classmate peter. 273 00:14:11,684 --> 00:14:17,188 - Peter was a little bit snarky, like, don't bother me. 274 00:14:17,256 --> 00:14:21,058 And the police were thinking, everybody wants to help. 275 00:14:21,127 --> 00:14:24,362 He doesn't want to be bothered. 276 00:14:24,430 --> 00:14:27,498 He said, I did know brittanee. 277 00:14:27,567 --> 00:14:29,934 I had met brittanee. We had hung out. 278 00:14:30,003 --> 00:14:34,305 We had texted back and forth, but I didn't have anything 279 00:14:34,374 --> 00:14:37,208 To do with her disappearance. 280 00:14:39,079 --> 00:14:42,280 - Peter claims that after brittanee left his hotel, 281 00:14:42,348 --> 00:14:45,249 He was hanging out with friends all night. 282 00:14:45,251 --> 00:14:47,017 While detectives check out his alibi, 283 00:14:47,087 --> 00:14:50,755 They also seek out anyone else known to have been in contact 284 00:14:50,823 --> 00:14:54,158 With brittanee in myrtle beach, including the girls 285 00:14:54,226 --> 00:14:56,194 She drove with from new york. 286 00:14:56,262 --> 00:15:01,999 - They went through each and every one 287 00:15:02,068 --> 00:15:05,769 Of brittanee's friends for the short time that she was here. 288 00:15:05,771 --> 00:15:10,374 And they really scoured everything about them. 289 00:15:10,376 --> 00:15:14,445 And they were able to rule them out. 290 00:15:14,447 --> 00:15:18,349 - Peter's alibi also checks out. 291 00:15:18,418 --> 00:15:20,818 - He was able to show that everything that he 292 00:15:20,886 --> 00:15:23,054 Was telling them was true. 293 00:15:25,057 --> 00:15:27,158 - But the investigation into peter 294 00:15:27,226 --> 00:15:30,695 Does lead detectives to a major discovery. 295 00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:33,331 His hotel, the blue water resort, 296 00:15:33,399 --> 00:15:36,133 Has surveillance cameras, and they 297 00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:41,406 Captured images of brittanee on the evening of April 25th. 298 00:15:42,675 --> 00:15:47,111 Brittanee enters the hotel at 8:33 p.M. 299 00:15:50,283 --> 00:15:54,953 And she appears again, exiting at 8:48 p.M. 300 00:15:56,155 --> 00:15:59,190 - As far as we knew, that was the last time 301 00:15:59,258 --> 00:16:01,893 That anybody had seen her. 302 00:16:01,961 --> 00:16:06,864 You can tell that she's walking at a fairly quick pace 303 00:16:06,933 --> 00:16:09,433 With nobody behind her. 304 00:16:09,502 --> 00:16:12,069 She's comfortable, but she's determined to get 305 00:16:12,138 --> 00:16:14,872 To wherever she is going. 306 00:16:14,941 --> 00:16:20,511 ♪ ♪ 307 00:16:20,580 --> 00:16:24,115 - It's just after leaving the hotel that brittanee exchanges 308 00:16:24,183 --> 00:16:29,687 Her final texts with her boyfriend, john, at 8:58 p.M., 309 00:16:29,689 --> 00:16:33,992 Expressing her desire to come home. 310 00:16:34,060 --> 00:16:37,361 - Within minutes, she has basically 311 00:16:37,430 --> 00:16:39,597 Vanished into thin air. 312 00:16:40,866 --> 00:16:43,267 - Investigators request brittanee's cell 313 00:16:43,336 --> 00:16:45,136 Phone records, hoping they might 314 00:16:45,204 --> 00:16:48,372 Shed light on her whereabouts. 315 00:16:48,374 --> 00:16:51,975 - They did a tower dump back from the day 316 00:16:52,045 --> 00:16:56,614 That brittanee went missing on all of the cell towers. 317 00:16:59,819 --> 00:17:02,319 - The cell phone records arrive a week after 318 00:17:02,388 --> 00:17:05,556 Brittanee's disappearance. 319 00:17:05,625 --> 00:17:08,893 At 11:57 on the night of April 25th, 320 00:17:08,961 --> 00:17:12,296 Brittanee's phone pings near the north santee river 321 00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:15,700 In mcclellanville, a small town 60 miles 322 00:17:15,768 --> 00:17:18,102 South of myrtle beach. 323 00:17:18,171 --> 00:17:21,505 That's nearly three hours after the surveillance 324 00:17:21,574 --> 00:17:26,177 Video shows brittanee leaving the blue water hotel. 325 00:17:29,315 --> 00:17:31,248 - They started searching in a very 326 00:17:31,317 --> 00:17:34,752 Heavily wooded area for her. 327 00:17:34,820 --> 00:17:37,588 I mean, helicopters, atvs, horseback-- 328 00:17:37,657 --> 00:17:43,127 It was overwhelming because it's a forest where 329 00:17:43,195 --> 00:17:45,596 They were looking for her. 330 00:17:45,665 --> 00:17:48,566 And they told me, if she was put out there, 331 00:17:48,634 --> 00:17:53,037 You know, she would be probably dead within six hours 332 00:17:53,105 --> 00:17:58,041 Because of the wild boar, the alligators, 333 00:17:58,043 --> 00:18:01,479 Just all the wild animals. 334 00:18:02,148 --> 00:18:05,583 But you have to have hope. You have to have faith. 335 00:18:07,587 --> 00:18:09,687 - Everybody was there. 336 00:18:09,755 --> 00:18:13,391 There was a lot of people that were looking for her. 337 00:18:13,459 --> 00:18:17,428 It was a needle in a haystack. 338 00:18:18,930 --> 00:18:24,235 [dramatic music] 339 00:18:24,303 --> 00:18:27,605 ♪ ♪ 340 00:18:27,607 --> 00:18:30,708 - Police are searching for teenager brittanee drexel 341 00:18:30,776 --> 00:18:34,712 In a heavily wooded region of south carolina 342 00:18:34,780 --> 00:18:38,816 After cell phone data shows her phone pinged in the area. 343 00:18:38,884 --> 00:18:42,319 It's 60 miles south of myrtle beach, where brittanee had 344 00:18:42,388 --> 00:18:44,455 Snuck away for spring break. 345 00:18:45,391 --> 00:18:47,057 - I was just in shock. 346 00:18:47,126 --> 00:18:50,394 And I just wanted my sister to come back home. 347 00:18:53,933 --> 00:18:58,035 - I tried so hard just to keep thinking, you know, 348 00:18:58,103 --> 00:19:00,071 Maybe she's still out there. 349 00:19:00,139 --> 00:19:04,142 They searched, and they didn't find anything. 350 00:19:07,813 --> 00:19:12,984 After that, I had stayed in myrtle beach 351 00:19:13,052 --> 00:19:16,320 For a good month and a half. 352 00:19:17,456 --> 00:19:21,225 - My mom was in distress. 353 00:19:21,294 --> 00:19:22,760 Even though there were searchers there, 354 00:19:22,828 --> 00:19:25,028 She just felt like she had to do it. 355 00:19:25,030 --> 00:19:26,296 That's her first born. 356 00:19:26,366 --> 00:19:28,666 That's her baby. 357 00:19:28,734 --> 00:19:35,539 She had to find her, at least know what happened. 358 00:19:35,608 --> 00:19:37,308 - Hope is strange. 359 00:19:37,376 --> 00:19:39,043 I'd like to say, in the beginning, 360 00:19:39,111 --> 00:19:41,478 It got me through. 361 00:19:41,547 --> 00:19:43,914 [somber music] 362 00:19:43,983 --> 00:19:46,383 Because I was convinced brittanee was coming home. 363 00:19:46,452 --> 00:19:52,823 ♪ ♪ 364 00:19:52,892 --> 00:19:55,826 - I left at the end of June, and then I 365 00:19:55,895 --> 00:19:58,229 Went back to rochester. 366 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:04,735 But I was calling law enforcement every day. 367 00:20:04,804 --> 00:20:07,371 I just wanted to find my daughter. 368 00:20:10,843 --> 00:20:14,878 - Days, weeks, months, and then years 369 00:20:14,947 --> 00:20:18,582 Pass with no answers for brittanee's family 370 00:20:18,650 --> 00:20:20,917 And friends. 371 00:20:20,987 --> 00:20:25,656 - It felt like nothing was going on in brittanee's case. 372 00:20:25,725 --> 00:20:28,992 This went on for years. 373 00:20:29,061 --> 00:20:31,028 I mean, you're talking-- 374 00:20:31,097 --> 00:20:34,765 She went missing in 2009. 375 00:20:34,834 --> 00:20:38,436 I can tell you, the ball was dropped here. 376 00:20:38,504 --> 00:20:40,604 The police wanted me to go away. 377 00:20:40,673 --> 00:20:45,242 And I felt like I had to just keep after them 378 00:20:45,310 --> 00:20:47,044 And after them and after them. 379 00:20:47,112 --> 00:20:49,880 And I didn't care if I was bugging them. 380 00:20:49,949 --> 00:20:51,248 I don't care. 381 00:20:51,317 --> 00:20:52,983 You're going to answer to me. 382 00:20:53,052 --> 00:20:54,785 I am her mother. 383 00:21:01,527 --> 00:21:03,827 - Dawn was desperate for answers. 384 00:21:03,829 --> 00:21:05,396 She felt like she wasn't getting 385 00:21:05,464 --> 00:21:07,130 Cooperation from the police. 386 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,466 Imagine trying to put yourself in the position. 387 00:21:09,535 --> 00:21:11,268 She's a mom. 388 00:21:11,336 --> 00:21:14,237 She's been thrust into a world of not just 389 00:21:14,239 --> 00:21:16,073 The justice system you're trying to maneuver. 390 00:21:16,141 --> 00:21:17,608 You're dealing with law enforcement. 391 00:21:17,676 --> 00:21:19,142 You're dealing with media. 392 00:21:19,144 --> 00:21:22,746 And it's a very foreign and frightening place. 393 00:21:22,815 --> 00:21:24,982 I put myself more in a role of, let me 394 00:21:25,050 --> 00:21:26,917 Help her get her story told. 395 00:21:31,090 --> 00:21:33,424 - I held on to just a little bit of hope 396 00:21:33,492 --> 00:21:35,726 That she was still alive because I always went back 397 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:37,628 To we didn't have anything. 398 00:21:38,764 --> 00:21:40,598 - Dawn drexel wouldn't quit. 399 00:21:40,666 --> 00:21:43,266 She drove all of us crazy. 400 00:21:43,268 --> 00:21:47,504 She called me every single day since 2011. 401 00:21:47,573 --> 00:21:49,172 It didn't matter if it was christmas. 402 00:21:49,174 --> 00:21:51,041 It didn't matter what time of day it was. 403 00:21:51,110 --> 00:21:52,443 And I always answered the phone. 404 00:21:52,511 --> 00:21:53,644 Some of my friends would say, you have 405 00:21:53,712 --> 00:21:55,312 No boundaries with this woman. 406 00:21:55,381 --> 00:21:57,048 And I would say, I can't. 407 00:21:57,116 --> 00:21:58,515 I can't. 408 00:21:58,584 --> 00:22:02,253 I saw what was it like to lose a child. 409 00:22:02,321 --> 00:22:05,322 I sat there with her, and nobody would help her. 410 00:22:05,391 --> 00:22:08,458 [tense music] 411 00:22:08,460 --> 00:22:11,061 ♪ ♪ 412 00:22:11,130 --> 00:22:13,797 - After more than two years with no answers, 413 00:22:13,866 --> 00:22:17,200 On August 1, 2011, out of the blue, 414 00:22:17,270 --> 00:22:21,071 Myrtle beach police receive a strange and stunning 415 00:22:21,140 --> 00:22:23,274 Call from a young woman. 416 00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:25,576 ♪ ♪ 417 00:22:25,644 --> 00:22:29,413 The story she tells concerns her father, 418 00:22:29,482 --> 00:22:32,816 A man named ray moody. 419 00:22:32,818 --> 00:22:35,819 - She said, I think my dad had something to do 420 00:22:35,888 --> 00:22:40,057 With brittanee drexel's disappearance. 421 00:22:40,125 --> 00:22:44,094 Mr. Moody, his main girlfriend was angel. 422 00:22:44,163 --> 00:22:50,868 And there was a time that angel called over there one night 423 00:22:50,936 --> 00:22:52,569 And said that ray was going to get 424 00:22:52,638 --> 00:22:55,138 All of them locked up because of what 425 00:22:55,207 --> 00:22:57,340 He had done to that girl. 426 00:22:57,410 --> 00:23:04,581 ♪ ♪ 427 00:23:04,583 --> 00:23:06,016 - So you guys were dating at the time? 428 00:23:06,085 --> 00:23:07,184 - Yes. 429 00:23:07,253 --> 00:23:09,019 - Myrtle beach police brought angel 430 00:23:09,088 --> 00:23:13,057 In and talked with her about that after the kids 431 00:23:13,125 --> 00:23:13,957 Had called. 432 00:23:14,026 --> 00:23:17,728 And the substance of that conversation 433 00:23:17,796 --> 00:23:20,864 Was ray didn't have anything to do with that. 434 00:23:20,866 --> 00:23:23,400 I'm so sick and tired of people blaming ray 435 00:23:23,469 --> 00:23:25,403 For everything that happens. 436 00:23:33,946 --> 00:23:36,680 - Despite angel's denials, police take 437 00:23:36,749 --> 00:23:39,416 A deeper look at ray moody. 438 00:23:39,485 --> 00:23:40,650 - They were able to get a search 439 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:44,121 Warrant at sunset lodge, which is a hotel 440 00:23:44,189 --> 00:23:47,090 Slash long-term rental. 441 00:23:47,159 --> 00:23:50,794 Raymond was staying at that area 442 00:23:50,863 --> 00:23:53,898 When brittanee had gone missing. 443 00:23:53,966 --> 00:23:55,566 - Sled crime scene technicians, 444 00:23:55,634 --> 00:23:57,134 With help from myrtle beach police 445 00:23:57,203 --> 00:23:59,336 And the georgetown county sheriff's office, 446 00:23:59,404 --> 00:24:01,571 Searched an apartment at the sunset lodge, 447 00:24:01,573 --> 00:24:02,940 South of georgetown today. 448 00:24:02,942 --> 00:24:04,875 - They were looking for anything that would 449 00:24:04,944 --> 00:24:08,946 Tie ray to brittanee drexel. 450 00:24:09,014 --> 00:24:13,918 They went out and talked with ray at his cabinet shop. 451 00:24:16,522 --> 00:24:18,889 And they told him they were searching 452 00:24:18,958 --> 00:24:20,991 For brittanee drexel. 453 00:24:21,060 --> 00:24:23,760 Well, he said, you're smart. You'll figure it out. 454 00:24:23,829 --> 00:24:25,162 ♪ ♪ 455 00:24:25,897 --> 00:24:31,334 [dramatic music] 456 00:24:31,404 --> 00:24:34,771 ♪ ♪ 457 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:37,674 - After years with no leads, ray moody 458 00:24:37,743 --> 00:24:39,610 Is a suspect in the disappearance 459 00:24:39,678 --> 00:24:41,278 Of brittanee drexel. 460 00:24:41,346 --> 00:24:43,981 Detectives are questioning him after his daughter 461 00:24:44,049 --> 00:24:47,685 Reported her suspicions about him to the police. 462 00:24:49,154 --> 00:24:52,189 - That investigation, that part of it, 463 00:24:52,257 --> 00:24:54,958 The search warrant yielded nothing fruitful. 464 00:24:55,027 --> 00:24:58,161 There wasn't enough to arrest him. 465 00:24:58,163 --> 00:25:01,499 - Once again, the case goes cold. 466 00:25:02,734 --> 00:25:04,702 It's now been seven years 467 00:25:04,770 --> 00:25:06,503 Since brittanee vanished on a spring 468 00:25:06,571 --> 00:25:08,672 Break trip to myrtle beach. 469 00:25:08,740 --> 00:25:11,342 - I can tell you, it felt like a roller coaster ride. 470 00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:14,144 That's what it felt like, you know, ups and downs. 471 00:25:14,213 --> 00:25:16,313 They would get tips, and then it would be like, 472 00:25:16,382 --> 00:25:20,017 Oh, you know, maybe she's getting located 473 00:25:20,019 --> 00:25:21,652 Or whatever the case may be. 474 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:24,955 And then there was false hope. 475 00:25:25,024 --> 00:25:28,125 And then that really kills you inside, you know? 476 00:25:28,193 --> 00:25:29,893 Because they're like-- you're just like, 477 00:25:29,895 --> 00:25:32,529 Is she ever going to be found? 478 00:25:32,597 --> 00:25:35,899 - The fourth or fifth year into her disappearance, 479 00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:38,035 I knew she wasn't coming back. 480 00:25:39,639 --> 00:25:42,573 I'm like, I know she's gone. 481 00:25:44,109 --> 00:25:48,145 - It's a strange feeling to have to switch looking for, 482 00:25:48,213 --> 00:25:50,613 You know, somebody physically here, 483 00:25:50,615 --> 00:25:55,552 And now we're just looking for, you know, what's left. 484 00:25:55,621 --> 00:25:58,421 And that, I think, was the worst 485 00:25:58,423 --> 00:26:00,691 Thing I've ever gone through. 486 00:26:00,759 --> 00:26:03,694 Emotionally, the worst thing I've ever felt. 487 00:26:04,497 --> 00:26:09,599 - Law enforcement would call me, and I would talk to them. 488 00:26:09,669 --> 00:26:13,436 And this went on for years. 489 00:26:13,506 --> 00:26:16,673 - I spent I can't tell you how many hours just on 490 00:26:16,742 --> 00:26:18,475 The internet, doing research. 491 00:26:18,544 --> 00:26:22,612 ♪ ♪ 492 00:26:22,614 --> 00:26:25,415 I obsessed over watching the video of brittanee walking 493 00:26:25,417 --> 00:26:26,417 In and out of the hotel. 494 00:26:26,485 --> 00:26:28,785 I would slow it down to see if there was anything 495 00:26:28,854 --> 00:26:30,053 That I could pick up on. 496 00:26:30,055 --> 00:26:31,588 I would speed it up. 497 00:26:31,657 --> 00:26:33,623 I mean, I watched at all different angles. 498 00:26:33,625 --> 00:26:36,527 I couldn't watch it enough because I always felt 499 00:26:36,595 --> 00:26:38,561 Like I was missing something. 500 00:26:38,563 --> 00:26:44,401 ♪ ♪ 501 00:26:44,469 --> 00:26:49,206 - Then, in August 2016, brittanee's mother, dawn, 502 00:26:49,274 --> 00:26:52,543 Gets a phone call that promises to provide 503 00:26:52,611 --> 00:26:55,946 The answers she's been desperate for. 504 00:26:56,015 --> 00:26:58,815 - The fbi had called me. 505 00:26:58,884 --> 00:27:01,218 They wanted me to come down, so they could talk to me. 506 00:27:01,286 --> 00:27:07,323 And they brought me into a conference room. 507 00:27:07,393 --> 00:27:09,560 We all sat down. 508 00:27:10,495 --> 00:27:14,664 - An informant trying to get help with his prison sentence 509 00:27:14,666 --> 00:27:16,266 Said, well, don't you want to know 510 00:27:16,335 --> 00:27:19,637 Information about the little girl that went missing? 511 00:27:23,742 --> 00:27:27,310 - The informant is an inmate named taquan brown, 512 00:27:27,312 --> 00:27:31,448 Serving a 25-year prison term for manslaughter. 513 00:27:31,516 --> 00:27:33,516 He claims that he witnessed a man 514 00:27:33,586 --> 00:27:39,256 Named timothy da'shaun taylor rape and kill brittanee. 515 00:27:39,324 --> 00:27:43,126 - He tells the story that brittanee drexel had been 516 00:27:43,128 --> 00:27:45,862 Kidnapped in myrtle beach, was brought 517 00:27:45,931 --> 00:27:49,933 To a house near mcclellanville, 518 00:27:50,002 --> 00:27:52,803 And she had been raped 519 00:27:52,871 --> 00:27:56,506 And tortured and all sort of terrible stuff. 520 00:27:56,508 --> 00:28:01,111 And he was over there and had saw all of this stuff. 521 00:28:01,180 --> 00:28:04,414 And she had ran out the back door, 522 00:28:04,483 --> 00:28:06,683 And they had called her and brought 523 00:28:06,752 --> 00:28:09,019 Her back in and killed her. 524 00:28:12,491 --> 00:28:15,459 - So I was just sitting there, sobbing. 525 00:28:15,527 --> 00:28:17,561 And I couldn't even talk. 526 00:28:17,629 --> 00:28:19,396 I couldn't do it. 527 00:28:19,465 --> 00:28:23,734 The fbi told me she tried to escape, 528 00:28:23,802 --> 00:28:25,703 And she ran out. 529 00:28:25,771 --> 00:28:29,773 They went to go get her, brought her back, 530 00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:32,809 And then they ended up shooting her. 531 00:28:32,878 --> 00:28:37,147 And then they rolled her up in a blanket or a rug 532 00:28:37,216 --> 00:28:39,917 And then threw it in an alligator pit. 533 00:28:44,790 --> 00:28:47,024 And I walked out of there. 534 00:28:47,092 --> 00:28:49,659 And I'm like, oh, my god. 535 00:28:49,728 --> 00:28:52,795 We always had kept hope alive that maybe 536 00:28:52,797 --> 00:28:54,331 Brittanee was still out there. 537 00:28:54,399 --> 00:28:58,601 And that really messed me up big time. 538 00:28:58,671 --> 00:29:02,072 You know, having a picture of that in your mind, 539 00:29:02,141 --> 00:29:06,743 It's just crazy, you know, to think that someone would 540 00:29:06,812 --> 00:29:09,045 Do that with my daughter. 541 00:29:09,114 --> 00:29:13,050 ♪ ♪ 542 00:29:13,118 --> 00:29:16,219 - Agents furiously work to confirm the details 543 00:29:16,221 --> 00:29:18,621 Provided by the informant. 544 00:29:18,623 --> 00:29:21,758 - Now, what really corroborated his story was brittanee's cell 545 00:29:21,827 --> 00:29:26,596 Phone had pinged in an area the direction of mcclellanville. 546 00:29:26,598 --> 00:29:29,332 - Even though that's where the inmate claims brittanee 547 00:29:29,334 --> 00:29:32,402 Was murdered, investigators know their previous searches 548 00:29:32,471 --> 00:29:35,038 In that area were big news stories 549 00:29:35,107 --> 00:29:36,539 And that confidential informants 550 00:29:36,609 --> 00:29:38,942 Will often say anything in hopes 551 00:29:39,010 --> 00:29:41,545 Of getting a reduced sentence. 552 00:29:41,613 --> 00:29:44,381 - Look, cis will lie. 553 00:29:44,449 --> 00:29:47,017 And I don't use cis unless I can 554 00:29:47,085 --> 00:29:49,152 Back up what they're saying. 555 00:29:49,220 --> 00:29:51,622 - Timothy da'shaun taylor is already in jail 556 00:29:51,690 --> 00:29:53,456 On separate robbery charges. 557 00:29:53,458 --> 00:29:56,526 Authorities work to keep him behind bars while they look 558 00:29:56,595 --> 00:29:58,661 For any information that might support 559 00:29:58,663 --> 00:30:01,531 The confidential informant's claim. 560 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:05,736 But dawn believes the awful story could be true. 561 00:30:05,804 --> 00:30:08,872 - Dawn did not allow herself any time to mourn. 562 00:30:08,941 --> 00:30:11,508 She quickly shifted from "I don't know 563 00:30:11,576 --> 00:30:14,244 What happened to my daughter" to "where's her body? 564 00:30:14,313 --> 00:30:15,813 I want my daughter brought home." 565 00:30:15,881 --> 00:30:17,414 - I said, I'm done. 566 00:30:17,482 --> 00:30:19,816 I said, I'm done with the bullsh--. 567 00:30:19,885 --> 00:30:24,221 I said, I want my daughter found, 568 00:30:24,289 --> 00:30:26,757 So I don't have to wonder where she is anymore. 569 00:30:26,759 --> 00:30:28,292 ♪ ♪ 570 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:34,397 [dramatic music] 571 00:30:34,466 --> 00:30:36,567 ♪ ♪ 572 00:30:36,635 --> 00:30:39,569 - Seven years after brittanee drexel disappeared 573 00:30:39,638 --> 00:30:41,838 In myrtle beach, south carolina, 574 00:30:41,907 --> 00:30:44,574 Investigators are looking into a stunning claim 575 00:30:44,643 --> 00:30:46,810 By a jailhouse informant that he 576 00:30:46,878 --> 00:30:51,481 Witnessed a man named timothy da'shaun taylor murder her. 577 00:30:53,018 --> 00:30:55,452 - All of a sudden, the investigation and the media 578 00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:57,720 Attention, all of us shift to what 579 00:30:57,722 --> 00:30:59,522 The investigators tell us. 580 00:30:59,524 --> 00:31:02,659 Listen, if the fbi's out there saying we got a suspect, 581 00:31:02,727 --> 00:31:05,495 We believe that this is what happened. 582 00:31:05,564 --> 00:31:07,865 You know, taylor is under investigation, being 583 00:31:07,933 --> 00:31:10,367 Charged with armed robbery. 584 00:31:11,704 --> 00:31:13,603 And I had the opportunity to confront 585 00:31:13,672 --> 00:31:17,407 Taylor about his involvement in this case. 586 00:31:17,476 --> 00:31:19,042 Did you do this? 587 00:31:19,044 --> 00:31:21,078 And he said, no, I did not. 588 00:31:23,749 --> 00:31:26,950 - In August 2016, the taylor family 589 00:31:27,018 --> 00:31:30,387 Launches a media offensive, releasing a statement 590 00:31:30,455 --> 00:31:32,422 Maintaining his innocence. 591 00:31:32,491 --> 00:31:35,358 They claim the informant lied to the fbi 592 00:31:35,427 --> 00:31:39,396 In a desperate attempt to cut a deal for early parole. 593 00:31:40,966 --> 00:31:45,168 - That informant said that brittanee drexel 594 00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:50,273 Was buried at a plot in berkeley county, 595 00:31:50,275 --> 00:31:53,243 Which is west of charleston. 596 00:31:53,311 --> 00:31:55,912 Investigators went down there. 597 00:31:55,980 --> 00:32:01,218 And once they start digging, that informant calls in, 598 00:32:01,286 --> 00:32:03,720 And he says, look, she was fed to alligators. 599 00:32:03,789 --> 00:32:05,955 She was not buried. 600 00:32:06,691 --> 00:32:11,494 Brown later came in and said, all of that was untrue. 601 00:32:11,563 --> 00:32:12,796 I lied. 602 00:32:12,864 --> 00:32:14,797 So none of that went anywhere. 603 00:32:14,867 --> 00:32:18,602 But there were many more like that, false leads. 604 00:32:20,605 --> 00:32:23,806 - Police eventually cleared timothy da'shaun taylor 605 00:32:23,876 --> 00:32:26,676 Of any involvement in brittanee's disappearance. 606 00:32:26,745 --> 00:32:29,179 It's another emotionally draining twist 607 00:32:29,247 --> 00:32:30,847 For her family and friends. 608 00:32:30,916 --> 00:32:33,383 - And by that point, I was so frustrated. 609 00:32:33,452 --> 00:32:35,585 I didn't really trust anybody. 610 00:32:35,587 --> 00:32:39,989 So after that, I was on the phone 611 00:32:40,059 --> 00:32:43,126 With the fbi every week. 612 00:32:43,194 --> 00:32:45,228 I mean, they would keep in contact with me 613 00:32:45,296 --> 00:32:47,731 And let me know what was going on. 614 00:32:49,534 --> 00:32:52,835 - The fbi agents, since 2016 on, 615 00:32:52,837 --> 00:32:54,837 Were determined to find out what happened 616 00:32:54,907 --> 00:32:58,241 And bring my mom that justice that she was grieving 617 00:32:58,310 --> 00:33:01,111 And asking for and the justice that obviously all 618 00:33:01,179 --> 00:33:03,380 Of us wanted. 619 00:33:04,249 --> 00:33:06,716 - I had a meeting with the fbi and some 620 00:33:06,785 --> 00:33:10,353 Of the law enforcement that was involved in brittanee's case. 621 00:33:10,422 --> 00:33:12,355 I just felt like brittanee's never going to be found. 622 00:33:12,357 --> 00:33:15,058 This is ridiculous. 623 00:33:15,127 --> 00:33:17,694 After that, I felt like nothing was 624 00:33:17,763 --> 00:33:20,197 Going on in brittanee's case. 625 00:33:23,969 --> 00:33:26,236 - Years pass with an investigation 626 00:33:26,304 --> 00:33:29,272 That seems to be stalled. 627 00:33:32,877 --> 00:33:38,748 Then, in may 2022, 13 years since brittanee was last seen, 628 00:33:38,817 --> 00:33:42,485 Once again, there's a phone call out of the blue. 629 00:33:42,487 --> 00:33:46,756 And once again, it offers hope. 630 00:33:46,825 --> 00:33:51,227 - On a Friday night, I get a call from a defense 631 00:33:51,296 --> 00:33:53,496 Attorney, scott bellamy. 632 00:33:53,498 --> 00:33:55,665 He said, well, I've got somebody that's wanting 633 00:33:55,667 --> 00:33:57,600 To give you some information. 634 00:33:57,602 --> 00:33:59,602 He'll give the information to you, 635 00:33:59,671 --> 00:34:02,905 But he won't give it to the police. 636 00:34:02,975 --> 00:34:05,041 And I said, well, who is it? 637 00:34:05,110 --> 00:34:09,579 And he said, ray moody. 638 00:34:09,581 --> 00:34:11,914 - It's the same man investigators looked 639 00:34:11,984 --> 00:34:15,485 At earlier in the case, when his daughter reported that he 640 00:34:15,554 --> 00:34:17,320 May have been involved. 641 00:34:17,388 --> 00:34:19,722 Police were unable then to connect him 642 00:34:19,724 --> 00:34:21,825 To brittanee's disappearance. 643 00:34:21,893 --> 00:34:25,828 Now his lawyer claims moody has a story to tell, 644 00:34:25,897 --> 00:34:28,932 But he'll only tell it to state authorities 645 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,267 And not the fbi. 646 00:34:31,336 --> 00:34:33,836 - He wants to stay in the state system. 647 00:34:33,905 --> 00:34:36,406 He does not want to go in the federal system. 648 00:34:36,475 --> 00:34:39,442 Because he knows he's going to spend the rest of his life 649 00:34:39,511 --> 00:34:44,081 In prison, and he wants to be closer to family members. 650 00:34:44,149 --> 00:34:45,816 And if you go in the federal prison, 651 00:34:45,884 --> 00:34:48,551 You may be in west virginia, you may be in california. 652 00:34:48,553 --> 00:34:50,086 - Where are y'all from? 653 00:34:50,155 --> 00:34:52,622 - Alabama. - That's right. 654 00:34:52,624 --> 00:34:55,625 - Ray moody sits down with state investigators 655 00:34:55,694 --> 00:34:57,793 And begins laying out the details 656 00:34:57,863 --> 00:35:03,232 Of what he says happened on the night of April 25, 2009. 657 00:35:03,234 --> 00:35:08,971 - Ray said that in 2009, he and angel 658 00:35:08,973 --> 00:35:11,841 Had come to myrtle beach. 659 00:35:11,910 --> 00:35:13,976 They were riding down the boulevard. 660 00:35:14,046 --> 00:35:18,114 He said, so a young lady came out of a hotel. 661 00:35:18,182 --> 00:35:21,451 And he said that he and angel were smoking pot, 662 00:35:21,519 --> 00:35:26,456 And ray asked brittanee, do you want some of this pot? 663 00:35:26,524 --> 00:35:28,725 And she said, yeah. 664 00:35:29,527 --> 00:35:33,630 Ray said that brittanee got in the back seat. 665 00:35:33,698 --> 00:35:36,967 They went where he and angel had been 666 00:35:37,035 --> 00:35:39,736 Camping at the pool yards. 667 00:35:39,804 --> 00:35:43,273 And they were just going to hang out there for a while. 668 00:36:31,456 --> 00:36:33,956 - And then he said, she scratched me. 669 00:36:34,025 --> 00:36:35,157 I hit her. 670 00:36:35,227 --> 00:36:36,259 All of that was over. 671 00:36:36,327 --> 00:36:39,562 And he said, then I killed her. 672 00:36:39,631 --> 00:36:41,998 He said, I strangled her to death. 673 00:36:42,066 --> 00:36:46,068 Ray moody never showed any remorse, 674 00:36:46,138 --> 00:36:51,708 Was a very disturbed individual at a deep level. 675 00:36:51,776 --> 00:36:56,412 - Angel came back and said, where is brittanee? 676 00:36:56,481 --> 00:36:59,149 And he said, you don't see her, do you? 677 00:36:59,217 --> 00:37:01,818 And she said, no. 678 00:37:01,886 --> 00:37:04,954 He said, well, don't ever ask about her again. 679 00:37:05,023 --> 00:37:09,492 The next morning, before daybreak, he got up. 680 00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:13,330 And he said, I dug a hole, buried her body. 681 00:37:29,147 --> 00:37:32,849 - So we were like, will you take us to the body? 682 00:37:32,917 --> 00:37:35,251 Yeah, I'll take you where she's buried. 683 00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:38,321 ♪ ♪ 684 00:37:38,390 --> 00:37:40,256 And they put him on a four-wheeler 685 00:37:40,324 --> 00:37:42,425 And drove him through. 686 00:37:44,262 --> 00:37:46,630 He said, I haven't been here in 13 years. 687 00:37:47,832 --> 00:37:50,467 But that's the place. 688 00:37:51,869 --> 00:37:56,639 - A search of the area begins on may 11, 2022. 689 00:37:56,641 --> 00:38:00,276 ♪ ♪ 690 00:38:00,345 --> 00:38:04,814 - So once they start digging, 691 00:38:04,883 --> 00:38:07,650 There was bones. 692 00:38:07,652 --> 00:38:11,020 There was a nose ring, 693 00:38:11,089 --> 00:38:15,524 And there was one contact lens. 694 00:38:15,526 --> 00:38:20,162 The next day, they had her as brittanee 695 00:38:20,164 --> 00:38:22,031 By her dental records. 696 00:38:22,100 --> 00:38:27,503 And then, within two days, they had dna that said that is 697 00:38:27,572 --> 00:38:29,806 In fact brittanee drexel. 698 00:38:29,874 --> 00:38:31,308 ♪ ♪ 699 00:38:32,009 --> 00:38:37,379 [dramatic music] 700 00:38:37,381 --> 00:38:39,916 ♪ ♪ 701 00:38:39,984 --> 00:38:41,984 - Brittanee drexel's family has spent 702 00:38:41,986 --> 00:38:45,321 13 years desperately searching for answers 703 00:38:45,390 --> 00:38:47,056 In her disappearance. 704 00:38:47,125 --> 00:38:49,792 And now, with a suspect in custody, 705 00:38:49,794 --> 00:38:51,728 They finally have them. 706 00:38:51,796 --> 00:38:55,265 But their worst fears have been realized. 707 00:38:55,333 --> 00:38:57,466 ♪ ♪ 708 00:38:57,468 --> 00:39:01,003 - I was so mad because raymond moody had been 709 00:39:01,005 --> 00:39:04,807 A person of interest back in 2011. 710 00:39:04,876 --> 00:39:06,642 He's a level three sex offender. 711 00:39:06,711 --> 00:39:08,211 He shouldn't even be in myrtle beach with all 712 00:39:08,279 --> 00:39:10,246 The kids and stuff here, ok? 713 00:39:10,315 --> 00:39:12,849 You've got to be kidding me. 714 00:39:13,985 --> 00:39:17,019 - The most frustrating part of this whole investigation, 715 00:39:17,021 --> 00:39:19,956 For me, is I learned that the day 716 00:39:20,024 --> 00:39:21,824 After brittanee drexel went missing, 717 00:39:21,893 --> 00:39:23,693 They pulled raymond moody over. 718 00:39:23,761 --> 00:39:26,362 When you get a speeding ticket, it came up that he 719 00:39:26,431 --> 00:39:28,664 Was a registered sex offender. 720 00:39:28,733 --> 00:39:30,566 He has scratches on his face. 721 00:39:30,635 --> 00:39:32,835 There's a missing girl in town. 722 00:39:32,837 --> 00:39:35,505 It doesn't take a genius to say, hey, wait a second. 723 00:39:35,573 --> 00:39:37,440 Maybe we should take this guy in. 724 00:39:37,509 --> 00:39:39,309 Maybe we should look at him. 725 00:39:39,377 --> 00:39:40,843 Nobody batted an eye. 726 00:39:40,912 --> 00:39:42,745 And she was the perfect target. 727 00:39:42,747 --> 00:39:45,247 You know, we hear from him, oh, she wanted to party. 728 00:39:45,249 --> 00:39:47,484 She wanted to get in the car and smoke weed. 729 00:39:47,552 --> 00:39:49,886 From the friends and family that I've spoken to, 730 00:39:49,954 --> 00:39:52,755 Brittanee drexel could not stand the smell of marijuana. 731 00:39:52,757 --> 00:39:54,356 She would not smoke marijuana. 732 00:39:54,358 --> 00:39:56,258 She would not even date a guy who smoked marijuana. 733 00:39:56,328 --> 00:39:59,161 And if raymond moody said that he lured her to the car 734 00:39:59,231 --> 00:40:01,831 With marijuana, raymond moody is lying. 735 00:40:01,900 --> 00:40:06,536 It's incomprehensible to me that this guy got away 736 00:40:06,604 --> 00:40:08,470 With what he got away with. 737 00:40:08,472 --> 00:40:14,777 ♪ ♪ 738 00:40:14,846 --> 00:40:17,013 - I will accept your plea to murder, 739 00:40:17,081 --> 00:40:19,415 Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, 740 00:40:19,484 --> 00:40:21,551 And to kidnapping. 741 00:40:21,619 --> 00:40:27,289 - October 19, 2022, raymond moody pleads guilty to murder, 742 00:40:27,359 --> 00:40:29,792 Rape, and kidnapping. 743 00:40:29,861 --> 00:40:32,128 He is sentenced to life in prison 744 00:40:32,196 --> 00:40:36,799 With an additional two consecutive terms of 30 years. 745 00:40:37,836 --> 00:40:42,505 His girlfriend, angel, is not charged with any crime. 746 00:40:42,573 --> 00:40:45,508 [soft music] 747 00:40:45,576 --> 00:40:51,281 ♪ ♪ 748 00:40:51,349 --> 00:40:57,453 - The driving force to keep this case hot was dawn drexel. 749 00:40:57,455 --> 00:41:00,289 She was hitting a lot of the same obstacles the police 750 00:41:00,291 --> 00:41:05,828 Were, but she constantly came back into town, constantly 751 00:41:05,897 --> 00:41:08,798 Looking, constantly calling. 752 00:41:08,867 --> 00:41:12,368 And even though it had to be excruciating, 753 00:41:12,437 --> 00:41:17,607 This is something that she has had to endure for 13 years 754 00:41:17,675 --> 00:41:21,210 To make sure that she got answers. 755 00:41:21,279 --> 00:41:24,614 And as terrible as those answers are, she stuck it out, 756 00:41:24,682 --> 00:41:25,982 And she got them. 757 00:41:26,050 --> 00:41:27,583 And I don't think it would have been 758 00:41:27,652 --> 00:41:30,119 Possible but for her persistence. 759 00:41:30,188 --> 00:41:34,090 She didn't allow anybody to forget about brittanee. 760 00:41:35,860 --> 00:41:39,128 - Dawn is a complete icon 761 00:41:39,197 --> 00:41:41,230 To me because I just-- I don't know how 762 00:41:41,299 --> 00:41:44,967 Mentally, health wise, I could have handled it. 763 00:41:45,036 --> 00:41:47,970 - That strength from me, I think 764 00:41:48,039 --> 00:41:51,640 I felt like I had to find her. 765 00:41:51,710 --> 00:41:53,776 But it was like a mission. 766 00:41:55,313 --> 00:41:56,779 We love you, brit! 767 00:41:56,848 --> 00:42:00,650 - Until we reunite with my sister brittanee, 768 00:42:00,718 --> 00:42:06,055 We will feel we got the answers we wanted, 769 00:42:06,124 --> 00:42:12,228 But it will never fill that missing piece in our family. 770 00:42:12,296 --> 00:42:14,197 She's still gone. 771 00:42:16,234 --> 00:42:18,334 - Brittanee was just a beautiful person, 772 00:42:18,402 --> 00:42:21,337 And she would do anything for anyone. 773 00:42:21,405 --> 00:42:23,773 About a month before everything happened, 774 00:42:23,841 --> 00:42:25,007 It was my birthday party. 775 00:42:25,076 --> 00:42:27,309 We all went to dinner with my parents. 776 00:42:27,379 --> 00:42:30,680 And we just had an absolute blast. 777 00:42:30,748 --> 00:42:33,149 Brittanee is laughing and having fun. 778 00:42:33,217 --> 00:42:35,918 She ordered this, like, obnoxious steak. 779 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:38,788 And brittanee was like 110 pounds soaking wet. 780 00:42:38,856 --> 00:42:40,690 So my dad was kind of looking at her like, 781 00:42:40,758 --> 00:42:42,358 Are you sure, kid? 782 00:42:42,426 --> 00:42:43,792 And was like, really, eyeing her. 783 00:42:43,862 --> 00:42:45,127 And she's like, yeah, and I want 784 00:42:45,129 --> 00:42:46,863 A grasshopper milkshake too. 785 00:42:48,232 --> 00:42:51,033 Her personality, her love of life, 786 00:42:51,035 --> 00:42:54,103 Her infectious attitude, her smile, 787 00:42:54,172 --> 00:42:57,907 Her laugh, her goofiness, there's nothing I don't miss. 788 00:43:02,246 --> 00:43:05,181 - My sister was very kind and caring. 789 00:43:05,249 --> 00:43:07,783 She would never hurt us all. 790 00:43:07,852 --> 00:43:10,886 And that's something that we're missing from the world now. 791 00:43:10,955 --> 00:43:14,456 And this world is such full of hate 792 00:43:14,526 --> 00:43:18,794 That I hope, one day, 793 00:43:18,863 --> 00:43:22,198 It can be peaceful for all of us. 794 00:43:25,069 --> 00:43:27,537 - Sometimes I'll go back and look at video of her 795 00:43:27,605 --> 00:43:29,338 When she was younger. 796 00:43:29,407 --> 00:43:32,842 And I do look at her pictures a lot. 797 00:43:32,910 --> 00:43:36,045 But, you know, her memory will 798 00:43:36,114 --> 00:43:38,414 Always be in my heart, you know? 799 00:43:38,483 --> 00:43:41,317 I'll always remember the good times I had with her. 800 00:43:41,385 --> 00:43:46,322 ♪ ♪