Angel Cooper Vause, a 57-year-old woman from South Carolina, has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for lying to FBI agents about her involvement in a horrifying crime that took place over 13 years ago.
The case revolves around the tragic kidnapping, rape, and murder of 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel, who disappeared while on a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in April 2009.Brittanee, a teenager from Chili, New York, had been walking back to her hotel on April 25, 2009, when she was lured into an SUV by Vause and her boyfriend, Raymond Moody.
Moody, now 64, confessed to the crime in 2022, providing chilling details about what happened that night. He is currently serving a life sentence for his actions.
According to Moody’s confession, he and Vause had been “hunting” for a victim that night. They targeted Brittanee, believing she would trust Vause because she was a woman. Vause approached Brittanee and convinced her to get into their vehicle, promising her a ride back to her hotel. Once inside, Moody pretended to get lost and then attacked Brittanee, handcuffing her and demanding ransom money. The couple drove her to a campsite near Moody’s home in Georgetown, South Carolina, where the nightmare escalated.
At the campsite, Moody left Brittanee with Vause while he went to retrieve a briefcase filled with disturbing items. When he returned, he raped and murdered Brittanee, strangling her with a rope and stabbing her with an ice pick to ensure she was dead. Moody then buried her body in a shallow grave. Vause, while not directly participating in the physical assault, was present during these horrific acts and even took Brittanee’s cellphone, which could have been her only chance to call for help.
For years, the case remained unsolved, leaving Brittanee’s family in agony, imagining the worst. It wasn’t until May 2022 that her remains were discovered, and Moody finally confessed, shedding light on the truth. Vause, however, had lied to investigators throughout the years, claiming that Brittanee had willingly joined them to use drugs and denying her role in the abduction. Prosecutors revealed that Vause was not only complicit but actively helped lure Brittanee into the vehicle and facilitated the crime.
During her sentencing, the judge described Vause as a “key participant” in the tragedy, emphasizing the pain her lies caused Brittanee’s family. U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs expressed hope that the sentence would bring some measure of justice and closure to Brittanee’s loved ones, who had fought tirelessly for answers.
Moody’s confession also revealed disturbing details about his relationship with Vause. He claimed that she was drawn to his criminal past and even expressed a desire to join him in his twisted activities. Text messages between the two showed Vause agreeing to “go hunting” with him, a chilling indication of her willingness to participate in his crimes.
This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the evil that Brittanee Drexel faced and the long fight for justice her family endured. May her memory live on, and may her loved ones find some peace knowing that those responsible are being held accountable.
