The FBI released more information Wednesday about the 2009 disappearance of Chili teen Brittanee Drexel in South Carolina. Federal authorities say that they believe the 17 year old was killed after that trip to Myrtle Beach.
The FBI believes that Drexel was held against her will for several days in the McClellanville area, which is about 50 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Drexel had been in South Carolina on a spring break trip.
Drexel's cellphone transmitted its last known signal the day after she disappeared near the South Santee River, about 15 miles outside McClellanville.
Brittanee’s mother, Dawn Drexel, asked for the public’s help in bringing whoever was responsible for her daughter’s death to justice. Drexel says Brittanee “had her whole life ahead of her, she had a lot of dreams and aspirations.” The FBI says investigators have known for some time that Drexel had been killed, but decided that on Tuesday they would release that information to the public to try to get more help from the community in finding out who is responsible.
The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible. Authorities believe that someone in that area has information and officials warn that it is possible someone who has information and doesn’t come forward can face charges.
FBI Special Agent In Charge Dave Thomas authorities know there are people in that area that know what happened. He is hoping that whoever has information about Brittanee’s death will come forward voluntarily.
