Brittanee Drexel reported missing 8 years ago today, mom wants FBI information

Today is an anniversary one Chili mother will never forget. Eight years ago today Brittanee Drexel was reported missing. Without her mother’s permission, she went to Myrtle Beach with a group of friends during spring break. Two days later she disappeared.

I asked Brittanee’s mother, Dawn Pleckan, to explain how she feels when this anniversary comes up. It’s happened seven times. Then I asked her about the police investigation into Brittanee’s case. Pleckan says she’s frustrated that police don’t tell her everything they know.

Dawn Pleckan, Brittanee Drexel’s mother: I remember that day like it was yesterday. Every day.

Eight years ago in Myrtle Beach a hotel security camera captured Brittanee Drexel walking out the front door and that’s the last time she was seen. Dawn Pleckan remembers telling Brittanee that she couldn’t go on spring break because something would happen to her.

Dawn Pleckan: And sure enough, two days later, it did.

Last year, the FBI identified Da’Shaun Taylor as a suspect — he has not been arrested. Last month, the FBI dug up a wooded area at the end of a dead end dirt road 35 miles south of Myrtle Beach.

Brean: Did they tell you what, if anything, they found?

Dawn Pleckan: Nope. They would not tell me anything.

Brean: Do you want them to tell you every detail they have?

Dawn Pleckan: Well yeah, but they won’t. They’re holding this very close to their vest and it bothers me. I’m her mom I think I should know what happened to my daughter.

Today I reached the FBI in South Carolina. I talked to Special Agent Don Wood on the phone.

Brean: Can you tell us what you found at that location in South Carolina?

Don Wood, FBI South Carolina: No I cannot, no.

Brean: Do you have any suspects?

Don Wood, FBI: I’m not going to identify or confirm that we have suspects at this time.

Brean: Are you closer to arresting someone now than you were say a year ago or five years ago?

Don Wood, FBI: I can say we’ve been working this case very hard. We’ve had some good leads lately.

I told the FBI about Dawn Pleckan’s concerns. The FBI said they would talk to her about that.

There is a way you can help. Dawn started a group to help families of missing children. It’s called "Brittanee’s little angels."

Click here for a link to the website.