GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC – Authorities have confirmed that human remains found during a search in the woods near the South Carolina coast last week were the remains of 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel, who disappeared from Myrtle Beach in 2009, according to WCIV.
At a Monday afternoon news conference, the Georgetown County Sheriff also confirmed that an arrest has been made in the case.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Reports: Human remains found during search in woods near South Carolina coast ]
Investigators say Raymond Moody, who is in police custody, is charged with burying Drexel. His charges include rape, murder and kidnapping, officials say.
Last week, authorities said remains were found in Georgetown County during a search on Wednesday and Thursday.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Reports: Police focus on convicted sex offender in Brittanee Drexel case ]
Days before the discovery, Moody, who had previously been identified as a person of interest in Drexel’s disappearance, was arrested and charged with obstructing justice in Georgetown County.
Crews were searching 2.5 miles from a motel where Moody was living at the time of Drexel’s disappearance. Authorities had searched that building extensively when they named Moody a person of interest in Drexel’s 2009 disappearance, WPDE reported.
When Moody lived there, the property was in a largely undeveloped area. The neighboring subdivision was in its infancy.
The teenager, from Rochester, New York, disappeared in April 2009 while visiting family on a trip to Myrtle Beach.
This is a developing story. Come back with www.wsoctv.com for updates.
(WATCH BELOW: Man finds human remains while playing baseball at Gastonia Park)
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