Friends and family celebrated the life of Brittanee Drexel over the weekend

CHILI, N.Y. (WHEC) — Friends and family celebrated the life of Brittanee Drexel over the weekend. The Chili teen disappeared while on spring break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2009.

Her remains were found last month and a registered sex offender is charged with her murder. Those close to Brittanee, her mom, dad, and siblings, broke down in tears during the service, knowing their little girl has found peace.

"You guys that do have kids, the best thing I could have done, is protect these guys,” Drexel’s step father said, having to pause, bursting out in tears.

Seats were filled inside The Fathers House on Paul Road. There were flowers, balloons, and pictures of Brittanee covering the room. Her younger sister holding Brittanee close to her heart, reliving her favorite memories. Most of them were on the soccer field, but others were only moments sisters could share.

"Thirteen years later and I’m wearing your remains around my neck. We loved doing hair and makeup together you would get mad at me for taking your shoes, because we were so close in sizes, you me and mom or your hair straighter or blow dryer because I couldn’t find mine,” Myrissa Drexel said, crying happy tears.

Brittanee Drexel was last seen on April 25, 2009, while she was in Myrtle Beach on spring break. She was missing for 13 years before her remains were found in a gated private drive on the outskirts of Georgetown, S.C. about 33 miles away from where she was last seen.

Family members didn’t relive the tragedy of what Brittanee went through, but how she would want to be remembered.

"Brittanee would want to be remembered as the person she was before she went missing and before this tragedy happened to her so what I want from all of you is a smile not a tear, Brittanee would light up every room and every person she crossed in her life, she would put others before herself,” Myrissa said.

Friends and family said there is no one in the world like Brittanee, and that her legacy will remain in Chili.

Registered sex offender, Raymond Moody, was charged with her murder. According to court documents, he confessed to the crime.