Latest developments in Drexel case lead FBI to Georgetown County neighborhood

No one expects the FBI to show up in their neighborhood. You can imagine the shock felt by families in Georgetown County when the latest developments in the case of a woman missing since 2009 brought officers to their doors and a wooded area across the street.

The FBI wasn't alone. Lt. Joey Crosby, with Myrtle Beach police, confirmed their officers were also on scene.

FBI agent Don Wood described the work of officers Friday as “investigative activity." Wood said he couldn’t say which case they were investigating, but he did confirm there was "digging" on a private piece of property.

It was through the attorney of Brittanee Drexel's family that we learned the search was connected to her 2009 disappearance. Brad Conway said the FBI called Brittanee's mother, Dawn Drexel, Friday morning to say they had investigative warrants to serve.

"They said they would let us know later what was going on," he said. "I have not received any more information so far."

The search took place in the area of Foxfire Court in Georgetown County. Those living in the area said they've never seen anything like it. They also said the FBI was in the neighborhood on the previous day.

“You don't expect anything like this to happen in our neighborhood” Lahoma Johnson said.

Those living in the area are curious, because they can't believe the next chapter in the case some of them have followed for several years is now in their neighborhood.

"They started yesterday. I don't know what's going on, you know. Because, they wouldn't tell me nothing," William Hemmingway said.

Hemmingway lives on Diamond Lane. Foxfire Court crosses his street.

"The most shocking part is to walk out and see the news media here and to find out all the law enforcement was right across the street from my house looking for Brittanee Drexel,” Ed Green said.

"It seems like there's a lot of resources being used, and I don't think they would be doing that if there wasn't some credible evidence or tip or whatever they got," Green said.

Green has followed the case since 2009 when Drexel went missing in Myrtle Beach. He's having a hard time believing his neighborhood could be connected.

"We just don't have things like that happen around here, if something did happen here," Green said.

Johnson hopes whatever the outcome, justice is served.

"My prayers go out to the family and everybody you know, and the family needs closure," Johnson said.

Drexel was 17 went FBI agents say she was kidnapped and held against her will in the McClellanville area. In August an FBI agent testified a prison inmate claimed to be involved in the teen's disappearance. The inmate told the FBI Drexel was kidnapped, raped, killed and thrown in an alligator pit.

Report: Inmate claims McLellanville man and son killed, raped Brittanee Drexel

WATCH VIDEO from the scene of the search.

** WPDE contributed to this report.