FBI to discuss ‘developments’ in Brittanee Drexel case on Wednesday

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will update the public next week when it discusses developments in the case of Brittanee Drexel, who disappeared from Myrtle Beach in 2009.

David Thomas, special agent in charge with the FBI, will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday in McClellanville to talk about “the latest developments” in Drexel’s case, according to a release from the FBI. Myrtle Beach police, Charleston County police, Berkeley County police, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division and United States Attorney Bill Nettles also will attend the meeting.

Drexel, who was 17 at the time, was last seen by her friends on April 25, 2009, when leaving the Blue Water Hotel on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach. She had come to the Grand Strand for spring break with friends — who her family said have never helped in her search — from her hometown in Rochester, N.Y., and she did so without the consent of her parents.

Seven year’s later, Drexel’s family holds annual vigils in her honor. Her family planted “Britt’s Tree” in Grand Park near The Market Common, where colorful flowers and small tokens are displayed.

Police and CUE Center for Missing Persons have searched areas in Georgetown and Charleston counties after learning Drexel’s cellphone gave off its last known signal on April 26, 2009 in Georgetown County.

In August 2011, police searched a room at the Sunset Lodge on U.S. 17 near the Georgetown County Airport where someone identified as a person of interest had stayed, but declined to comment on their findings in that room, and no one has been arrested in connection with the case.

“It’s been seven years and for there to be absolutely nothing is just unacceptable to me,” Brittanee’s mother Dawn Drexel said in April.

In February, a new detective was assigned to the case after Det. Steven Clothier, who was the main detective on the case, was promoted to sergeant.

The news conference will be held at the McClellanville Magistrate’s Court, 10009 Highway 17 North, McClellanville.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 11:58 PM with the headline "FBI to discuss ‘developments’ in Brittanee Drexel case on Wednesday."