Like so many other American teenagers, Brittanee Drexel, 17, had big plans for Spring Break 2009. She wanted to head for the famous Myrtle Beach in South Carolina with her friends, 800 miles from her home. With sunny weather, miles of sandy beaches and lively nightlife, it’s a popular destination for high school and university students during the spring half-term holidays. But Brittanee’s mum Dawn had a bad feeling about the trip and told her she couldn’t go. It was a decision Brittanee refused to accept.
Brittanee lived in the suburb of Chili in Rochester, New York, with her mum and her stepdad, Chad, who had adopted her. She also had two younger siblings.
An outgoing student, she loved playing football, wanted to become a nurse and also hoped to try modelling. She had been born with a condition called hyperplastic primary vitreous. It left her blind in her right eye which was prone to “wandering”, so she wore special contact lenses to correct this. Their blue tint gave Brittanee a striking look.
Dawn and Brittanee clashed over the trip for a couple of days but on 22 April 2009, Brittanee seemed to back down. She said she’d go and stay with her friend in nearby Rochester for a few days instead. Dawn agreed but, unknown to her, Brittanee packed her suitcase and joined her friends on the trip to Myrtle Beach. They checked into the seafront Bar Harbor Hotel and enjoyed the party hotspot like hundreds of other youngsters who'd flocked to the area.
Brittanee phoned her mum and told her she was spending the day at the beach - Dawn assumed it was a local shoreline in Rochester, not a 12-hour drive away.
Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin March 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin March 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT
Simple lifestyle and dietary changes can improve digestion, boost immunity and enhance your overall wellbeing
Mum found murdered daughter in the bathroom of her girl's violent ex
Mirelle Mateus eventually broke away from her abusive relationship, but Aaron Romo wasn't prepared to accept it was over
'The win changed our lives for the better'
While most people would regard a lottery windfall as the best news ever, for others it can lead them on a downward spiral
Struggling in silence
With many men still finding it hard to talk about their mental health, the Movember charity warns that suicide is on the rise
"I was really suffering — I fainted on set"
MAFS UK's Lacey Martin on her time on the show and her battle with endometriosis
'My dream show would be I'm A Celebrity'
Bake Off finalist Ruby Bhogal tells us about her \"big fat Indian wedding\" and why she'd be great in the jungle
'If I have had a laugh, I'm winning at life
This Morning's Josie Gibson tells new about stealing food on I'm A Celeb and who she can't wait to watch this year
Stacey's 'pact' with Mrs Hinch
Cleaning guru Mrs Hinch's third pregnancy could lead to a 'baby pact' with her good friend Stacey Solomon, a source tells new - and new career opportunities
Meghan fears Harry having to exit US
The Sussexes are worried about incoming president Donald Trump's vow to consider deporting Harry over his visa drama and previous drug use, a source tells new
'Our son is my harshest restaurant critic'
Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and his wife Michelle talk about how technology is helping their youngest son