Raymond Moody, the man convicted of kidnapping, raping, and killing 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel in 2009, now claims that his longtime girlfriend, 56-year-old Angel Cooper Vause, was deeply involved in the crime.
Moody, 64, is currently serving a life sentence for Drexel’s murder, which happened while she was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for spring break... Continue reading here ▶
In a November 2024 interview with the FBI at the Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville, Moody alleged that Vause helped him lure Brittanee into their vehicle by pretending to be a tourist who was lost and offering to give Brittanee a ride home.
Moody said Vause took the steering wheel while he restrained Brittanee and later helped lead her to a tent they had set up at the Pole Yard Boat Landing in Georgetown, near their apartment.
According to Moody, Vause told him not to rape Brittanee until she returned with the keys to their apartment.
He claimed that he and Vause had agreed to sexually assault Brittanee together, with Vause having suggested the night before that they go “hunting” for a young woman to kidnap.
Moody did not recall if Vause physically took part in the assault, but said she was present in the tent while it happened.
Moody also claimed Vause did not know in advance that he planned to kill Brittanee. However, he said she was in the tent during the murder and did nothing to stop him.
Moody admitted strangling Brittanee with a nylon rope and then stabbing her with an ice pick. He said he buried her body alone because he feared Vause might go to the authorities.
Moody reportedly shared these details with investigators in exchange for a deal allowing part of his property to remain in a trust for Vause’s grandchildren.
FBI documents state that Moody insisted he was telling the truth not out of spite toward Vause, but because he wanted to protect his grandchildren’s interests.
In March 2023, Vause was arrested on three counts of making false statements to the FBI and pleaded guilty last September to all three counts, which relate to Brittanee Drexel’s rape and murder.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, you can reach out for help by texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a trained counselor.
