Brittanee Drexel.Photo: Myrtle Beach Police Department
PEOPLE obtained a copy of the arrest warrant charging Raymond Moody, 62, withDrexel’s 2009 killing.
Drexel’s body was found last week, buried in a South Carolina woods. Dental records were used to identify her remains.
According to authorities, Moody had been pulled over for speeding on April 26, 2009, in the town of Surfside — one day after the 17-year-old was last seen. However, it was unclear Tuesday if he was cited for the moving violation.
Detectives would not identify Moody as a potential person of interest in the case for another two years.
Moody was living an hour from Myrtle Beach — at a motel in Georgetown, S.C. — in 2009 whenDrexel was last seen, investigators said.
Drexel had traveled to Myrtle Beach in 2009 for spring break, and had plans to visit family. According to authorities, Moody kidnapped Drexel as she walked alone along the Myrtle Beach strip.
Raymond Moody.Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators allege Moody held Drexel against her will, and sexually assaulted her before eventually strangling her. Police believe he buried her on April 26, 2009.
In addition to murder, Moody is further charged with with kidnapping and criminal sexual misconduct.
Moody has been in custody since his May 4 arrest on an obstruction charge. He’s being held without bail.
Drexel was still a high school student when she left her hometown of Chili, N.Y., with friends for Myrtle Beach, where she planned to visit relatives. Buther parents had no ideashe was traveling so far.
Brittanee Drexel.Myrtle Beach Police Department via AP
“I didn’t know she was going,” her mother, Dawn,previously told PEOPLE. “The day she left she was angry with me because she asked me if she could go and I told her no. I said, ‘There’s no adults going and I have no idea who these kids are and I don’t feel comfortable with it.’ "
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“I told her I just felt something was going to happen to her,” Dawn said. “I just felt it.”
Drexel was last seen on surveillance video leaving a beachfront hotel in Myrtle Beach.
According tothe Democrat and Chronicle, Moody is a registered sex offender who spent 21 years in prison following a 1983 abduction and rape case in California involving a 9-year-old girl.
Moody has not yet entered pleas to the charges, and it was unclear if he had an attorney.
source: people.com
