South Carolina jury awards $700 million to family of Brittanee Drexel in civil suit over 2009 murder

A jury in South Carolina recently awarded $700 million to the family of Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered during a 2009 spring break trip to Myrtle Beach. The civil lawsuit, filed in January 2023, accused Raymond Moody, the man who killed Drexel, as well as Bar Harbor Resort Inc. and Smith Family Partners LLC, of wrongful actions that led to the teen's tragic death.

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Brittanee Drexel's family lawsuit and court verdict

The jury's decision included $200 million in actual damages and $500 million in punitive damages. According to county records and reports from FOX 8 Greensboro, the case highlighted the emotional distress caused to Drexel’s family by the murder. Raymond Moody, who was convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Drexel, expressed deep regret in court but admitted that no apology could undo the harm he had caused.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Moody said during the trial, acknowledging the severity of his actions. “I’ve realized it doesn’t matter how sincere I am about how I feel about things — it’s just not enough.”

Brittanee Drexel's kidnapping and murder

The incident occurred on April 25, 2009, when Brittanee Drexel was visiting Myrtle Beach with friends. After leaving the Bar Harbor Hotel, Drexel intended to meet a friend at a nearby resort. She was last seen entering the Blue Water Resort before being approached by Raymond Moody, who kidnapped her. Moody then transported Drexel to a remote campsite, where he raped and murdered her. He later discarded her phone in a river and buried her body in a shallow grave.

Moody was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to the crimes in October 2022. His girlfriend, Angel Cooper Vause, also faced legal consequences. Vause was sentenced to 18 years in prison for lying to federal investigators about her role in the crime. She had kept the details of Drexel's murder hidden for 13 years until authorities discovered the remains in 2022.

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Impact of the civil suit and verdict

Dawn Pleckan, Drexel's mother, filed the lawsuit against Moody, Bar Harbor Resort, and Smith Family Partners, accusing them of wrongful conduct in connection with her daughter’s death. The $700 million award represents both a legal victory and emotional relief for the Drexel family, who have endured more than a decade of uncertainty about Brittanee's fate.

The Drexel family's legal journey culminated in this significant civil suit decision, but the quest for justice began long before the trial. The involvement of Vause in luring Drexel into Moody's van and withholding the truth only prolonged the uncertainty. U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs praised the family for their perseverance and commitment to justice, stating that the verdict provides a sense of closure and hope for the Drexel family.