Family and friends of missing New York teen Brittanee Drexel came together Friday night for a candlelight vigil on S.Ocean Blvd behind Bluewater Resort.
Family members said they wanted to have the vigil in that particular spot because that was the place where Brittanee was last seen.
Drexel’s father John John Kahyaoglu said he wasn’t sure if he was going to attend Friday night’s vigil because the emotions were too strong but he said he wanted to pay respect to his daughter and say a prayer for her safe return home.
"I'm going to pray just like I've been doing every night, besides what Myrtle Beach Police has been doing the great job they've been doing, everybody has been praying and I'm going to continue praying," said Kahyaoglu.
Family, friends, several members of the community and vacationers taking part in the vigil wore t-shirts with Brittanee’s picture whiel handing out white candles provided by St Andrew’s Catholic Church.
Along with the candle-light vigil, Monsignor Joseph Roth of with the church offered a prayer service followed by a hymn.
Among the several dozens attending were parents with small children, some of whom told News 13 they could not imagine the crisis Brittanee’s parents were going through but wanted to offer their prayers.
"We have some years till our daughters are that age but we just want to show our support and let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them," said Mike Christy who was visiting from New York with his wife and three young daughters.
Brittannee’s mother Dawn Drexel told News 13 that the vigil was important because it gives her and the family hope that her daughter will return home soon.
"God does many things he's there for you, praying has a lot to do with bringing her back home, we need to bring her home," said Drexel.
"I’m not going to give up I love you I want you back," said Kahyaoglu.
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Stay with News 13 for the latest developments on the search for Brittanee Drexel.
Anyone with information on the missing teen’s whereabouts is asked to call Myrtle Beach police at 918-1300.
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