Family of South Carolina Spring Break Murder Victim Secures $700 Million in Civil Judgment

A South Carolina jury recently awarded an astonishing $700 million to the family of Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old girl who was tragically kidnapped and murdered during a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach in 2009.

Lawsuit Filed Against Accused and Resorts

Dawn Pleckan, Brittanee’s mother, initiated a civil lawsuit in January 2023. The suit named Raymond Moody, the man convicted of killing her daughter, along with Bar Harbor Resort Inc. and Smith Family Partners LLC. The lawsuit accused these parties of wrongful conduct that directly contributed to Drexel’s murder, which occurred while she was visiting the popular South Carolina vacation destination with friends.

The jury reached its verdict last month, determining that Moody had inflicted emotional distress on Drexel’s family. The financial award amounted to $200 million in actual damages accompanied by a staggering $500 million in punitive damages, as per county records and reports from FOX 8 Greensboro.

Emotional Reactions in Court

During the court proceedings, an emotional Moody expressed his regret. “I’m at a loss for words. I mean, I just have so much regret. I’ve realized it doesn’t matter how sincere I am about how I feel about things I’ve done. It’s just not enough,” Moody reportedly said.

Involvement of Moody’s Girlfriend

Angel Cooper Vause, identified as Moody’s girlfriend and a 57-year-old resident of Georgetown, South Carolina, faced her own legal repercussions. She has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for providing false information to federal investigators regarding her involvement in Drexel’s kidnapping and murder.

Drexel’s Disappearance and Its Aftermath

On April 25, 2009, Brittanee Drexel left the Bar Harbor Hotel, where she was staying, to meet friends at the nearby Blue Water Resort. This was the last moment anyone, other than Moody and Vause, saw her alive. Security footage captured Drexel entering the Myrtle Beach resort that evening.

Final Moments and Kidnapping

At approximately 9 p.m., while walking alone in Myrtle Beach, Moody approached Drexel in a Ford Explorer. He kidnapped her and took her to a remote campsite near his home in Georgetown. Reports indicate that Moody then raped and murdered the teenager.

Following his horrific actions, Moody disposed of Drexel’s phone in the North Santee River and buried her body in a shallow grave. The discovery of her remains in 2022, thirteen years after she went missing, led to significant developments in the case.

Vause’s Role Revealed After Years of Secrecy

Vause is alleged to have lured Drexel into Moody’s van under the pretense of providing a ride back to her hotel. According to the Justice Department, she managed to conceal her involvement and the details surrounding Drexel’s murder for over a decade until law enforcement uncovered the teenager’s remains.

U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs stated, “For more than a decade, Brittanee’s loved ones were left to imagine the worst possible scenario in Brittanee’s disappearance while Vause withheld the truth. We hope Brittanee’s loved ones can now have both the closure and a measure of justice that comes with this sentence. May she rest in peace knowing that her mother Dawn was relentless in her pursuit of justice.”

Moody’s Guilty Plea and Sentencing

In October 2022, Raymond Moody, now 62 years old, pleaded guilty to the charges of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Brittanee Drexel. He received a life sentence in prison, marking a significant step toward justice for the Drexel family.

Significance of the Verdict

The substantial civil judgment against Raymond Moody and involved parties highlights the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims and their families in cases of violent crime. The awarded damages serve as a reminder of the emotional and psychological toll that such tragedies inflict on families. Moreover, this verdict may inspire other families grappling with similar situations to seek legal recourse.

The court’s decision underscores the importance of accountability in cases involving severe wrongdoing. As communities grapple with the aftermath of such horrifying events, the outcome of this civil case may influence future legal actions in violent crime cases.

Evidently, the Drexel family’s fight for justice has drawn attention to the necessity for improved safety measures in tourist areas. Stakeholders within the hospitality and tourism sectors may now rethink protocols to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.

A Lasting Legacy

Ultimately, the resolution of this tragic case serves both as a beacon of closure for Brittanee Drexel’s family and a call to action for communities to better protect their residents and visitors. As the story unfolds and evolves, it remains lodged in public consciousness, reminding all of the ongoing need for vigilance, support, and justice for victims of such ghastly crimes.