Girlfriend of Brittanee Drexel’s killer sentenced to 18 years

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WMBF) – The longtime girlfriend of Brittanee Drexel’s convicted killer was sentenced to 18 years on Thursday for lying to the FBI.

A judge handed down the 18-year sentence to Angel Vause and waived the fine against her since she could not afford it.

Additionally, she will have to go through mental health training while she’s in prison and three years of supervision when she’s released from prison at the age of 75.

This comes after Vause, 56, pleaded guilty in September to counts of making a false statement to a federal agent in connection to Drexel’s disappearance and death.

After the sentencing, Drexel’s mother, Dawn Conley, and her brother Camdyn Drexel spoke about the emotions of seeing Vause’s sentenced.

“I’m glad [the judge] gave her the sentence that he did, she should be behind bars,” Conley said. “She was involved in Brittanee’s kidnapping and she was involved -- I still believe she was involved in the rape and murder of my daughter.”

Conley shared that she will also be heading back to Myrtle Beach to work with local law enforcement to get Vause charged with kidnapping as well.

While Vause will be behind bars for nearly two decades, Conley said this doesn’t feel like closure.

“I don’t believe in closure, I believe in a resolution,” she said. “No, I don’t think it was significant for what she did but these were lying charges, I’m glad [the judge] gave her the full 18 years.”

Drexel’s brother said he felt like he needed this to move forward with his life.

“Even though I was 5 years old, it took a lot of courage, I kept it together for Britt,” Camdyn Drexel said. “I believe that she is watching me now and she watches me every day. She didn’t get a chance to do it but guess what, Brittanee is here with all of us today and I know that she is thankful that we are getting progression in this whole situation. My mom said it may not be closure, but it’s closure for my life.”

Conley also shared that the journey to get here and see everyone involved in Brittanee’s death face their fate has not been an easy one.

“This has been almost 16 years that I fought for Brittanee I would not let anything go unturned I was always talking to the FBI and I held them able,” Conley said. “I feel like I had to keep on top of it and my other children suffered, it consumed me and I feel horrible for that my kids are my heart.”

Conley also shared her gratitude for all the that Brittanee and her family received in the years of fighting for justice.

“I just thank everyone for all their of Brittanee a lot of people came together, the community came together I can tell you a lot of people in Myrtle Beach and the surrounding countries were ive of Brittanee from the beginning, and up until now,” she said. “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the you’ve given us.”

Vause’s boyfriend, Raymond Moody, confessed in May 2022 that he and Vause picked up Drexel on April 25, 2009. Drexel was walking down the street, and Moody asked her if she wanted to party and smoke marijuana.

The three ended up at a campsite in Georgetown County, where Moody kidnapped, raped and killed the teenager. Her remains were found in the Harmony Township area over a decade later.

Court documents state Vause talked with the FBI in May 2022, telling an agent she went to pick up keys during the killing - but was driving in another direction for a different reason.

She also said that Drexel kept her cell phone when the FBI said Vause took Drexel’s phone and dumped it between Georgetown and Charleston counties.

Vause added that Drexel voluntarily ed her and Moody, but the FBI said Drexel was actually abducted “under false pretenses.”

Moody also told FBI agents and other authorities in November that he received a text from Vause approximately a week or so before Drexel’s abduction saying she “had always fantasized about snatching some girl.”

According to Moody, the two went “girl hunting” in April 2009, which eventually led to Drexel’s abduction and subsequent events.

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