Celebration of life for Brittanee Drexel, two days after her killer was sentenced to life

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A celebration of life for Brittanee Drexel. Her mom emotionally thanked police for putting her killer away for life. Friends and family gathered in South Carolina, paying final tributes to Brittanee. The Chili teen was missing for more than a decade.

This week her killer pled guilty. The celebration comes just two days after Drexel’s killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

“Brittanee is finally home with us, and we have laid her to rest, the person who murdered my daughter is now behind bars,” Dawn Pleckan said.

After 13 long years, the Drexel family has ended their search for closure. Brittanee’s mom thanked the South Carolina community for its support in treating the Chili teen as if that was her home.

“For Brittanee, not being from South Carolina, you’ve showed her so much love, and support and we are so grateful,” her mom said.  

Friday’s service to remember Brittanee took place at Journey Church, just outside Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Brittanee’s mother says she lost another special person in her life last month, and while having to grieve the loss of two people close to her heart, she says Brittanee has her best friend in heaven with her.

“My father couldn’t be here this evening, he passed away September 14th, of this year, and he and Brittanee were very close.”

Raymond Moody admitted to kidnapping, raping and killing the Chili teen. His plea brings closure more than a decade after Drexel vanished while on spring break in Myrtle Beach.