A South Carolina jury awarded $700 million to the family of Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old girl from New York who was kidnapped and murdered in Myrtle Beach during a 2009 spring break trip. While the verdict sends a strong message, the likelihood of the family ever receiving the full amount remains in question.
Key Facts:
- Brittanee Drexel vanished in April 2009 while visiting Myrtle Beach.
- Raymond Moody, now 62, kidnapped, raped, and murdered Drexel and later buried her body.
- Moody’s girlfriend, Angel Cooper Vause, lied to authorities for 13 years and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
- A South Carolina jury awarded Drexel’s family $700 million, including $500 million in punitive damages.
- Moody is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty in 2022.
The Rest of The Story:
On the night of April 25, 2009, Brittanee Drexel left her hotel to visit a friend at another resort.
Security footage showed her entering the Blue Water Resort, but she never made it back.
Later that evening, Moody approached Drexel in his Ford Explorer, kidnapped her, and took her to a remote area where he assaulted and murdered her before burying her body in a shallow grave.
Moody’s girlfriend, Angel Cooper Vause, played a role in the crime, helping lure Drexel into the vehicle under false pretenses.
She then kept quiet for over a decade while Drexel’s family searched for answers.
Authorities finally found the teen’s remains in 2022, and Moody pleaded guilty later that year.
The jury’s decision awarded the family $700 million in damages, citing the immense emotional distress caused by the crime.
However, Moody, already in prison for life, is unlikely to have the financial means to pay.
"After 13 long years, it's over in an instant." Our newest 20/20 gives an exclusive inside look at how an FBI team finally brought justice to Brittanee Drexel. Watch @RyanSmithTV's report 'Into the Darkness' – now on @hulu. https://t.co/RzKveeZm6s pic.twitter.com/20KxA9dxdz
— 20/20 (@ABC2020) March 10, 2024
Commentary:
This case is heartbreaking.
Brittanee Drexel’s murder was a horrifying act of evil, and her family has endured unimaginable pain.
While no amount of money can ever bring her back, the verdict reflects the gravity of the crime and the suffering it caused.
That said, a $700 million payout is largely symbolic.
It’s unlikely that Drexel’s family will receive anything close to that amount, as Moody doesn’t have assets to cover such a sum.
Even if there is some financial recovery from the other defendants in the lawsuit, the final amount will almost certainly be a fraction of the jury’s award.
However, this case sends a strong message: those responsible for such heinous acts will be held accountable, both criminally and financially.
The involvement of Vause also highlights the importance of bringing enablers to justice.
For 13 years, she knew the truth and kept a grieving family in the dark.
Her 18-year sentence, while significant, pales in comparison to the suffering she helped cause.
Despite the legal victory, Brittanee’s mother, Dawn Pleckan, will never get what she truly wants—her daughter back.
Justice in cases like these can feel hollow, but if this ruling helps prevent future tragedies or holds others accountable, it will have served some purpose.
The Bottom Line:
Brittanee Drexel’s murder was a horrific crime, and her family has now been awarded a massive $700 million verdict.
However, the likelihood of them ever seeing that money remains slim.
While the legal system has punished Moody and his accomplice, true justice remains elusive for a grieving mother who will never get her daughter back.
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