Justice for Brittanee Drexel
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A South Carolina jury has awarded $700 million to the family of Brittanee Drexel, who was kidnapped and murdered in 2009. The verdict, following a lawsuit against Raymond Moody, emphasizes the emotional distress faced by the family and calls for increased safety in tourist areas. This case has highlighted the need for accountability and systemic changes to protect visitors from similar tragedies.
In a stunning turn of events, a jury in South Carolina has awarded a whopping $700 million to the family of Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old girl tragically kidnapped and murdered while on a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach back in 2009. This verdict follows a long and emotional journey for her family, who have fought tirelessly for justice in the wake of their daughter’s horrific fate.
Brittanee’s mother, Dawn Pleckan, took a brave step and filed a lawsuit in January 2023 against Raymond Moody, the man convicted of her daughter’s murder, as well as Bar Harbor Resort Inc. and Smith Family Partners LLC. The lawsuit highlighted the wrongful conduct that led to this unforgivable tragedy. After weeks of deliberation, the jury determined that Moody was responsible for causing immense emotional distress to Brittanee’s family, awarding them $200 million in actual damages, alongside a staggering $500 million in punitive damages. The message is clear: this family has suffered greatly, and they deserve accountability.
Raymond Moody has been serving a life sentence since October 19, 2022, for his crimes against Brittanee. In court, he expressed his regret, stating he was “at a loss for words” and that his feelings of remorse would never truly compensate for the pain inflicted on the Drexel family. Adding to the complexity, Angel Cooper Vause, Moody’s girlfriend at the time, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for misleading investigators regarding her involvement in the crime.
The timeline of events is gut-wrenching. On April 25, 2009, Brittanee left the Bar Harbor Hotel to meet some friends at the Blue Water Resort, a decision that would ultimately lead to her last moments of freedom. Before she was kidnapped that evening at around 9 p.m., security footage showed Brittanee entering the Blue Water Resort. It was then that she fell victim to Moody, who was driving a Ford Explorer.
Following the kidnapping, things took a dark turn. Moody transported Brittanee to a remote campsite where, in a horrific act, he raped and murdered her. To cover up his crime, he disposed of Brittanee’s phone in the North Santee River and buried her body in a shallow grave. For years, the family did not know what had happened to her, stirring an overwhelming sense of grief and uncertainty.
It wasn’t until 2022 that the mystery of Brittanee’s disappearance was finally unraveled, leading to Moody’s prosecution. The court case revealed that Vause had played a role by allegedly luring Brittanee into Moody’s van with false promises of help. U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs spoke of the profound suffering experienced by Brittanee’s loved ones, which was exacerbated by Vause’s attempts to withhold the truth for many years.
This case has not only been about justice for Brittanee, but it has also sparked a critical discussion about safety and security in popular tourist destinations, especially during busier times like spring break. The lawsuit brought against the resort and other parties has drawn attention to their negligence which potentially contributed to the tragic circumstances surrounding the abduction. It serves as a reminder that every measure must be taken to ensure the safety of visitors in these areas.
The jury’s overwhelming verdict sends a clear message: the Drexel family deserves recognition for their suffering, and the community must come together to prioritize safety to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. While no amount of money can bring Brittanee back, it is a step toward healing for her family and a call for action to ensure justice prevails in the case of missing and exploited individuals.
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