Brittanee Drexel Missing (Update): Mom "Appalled" Police Think Her Daughter is Dead

NEW YORK (CBS) Almost a year after 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel disappeared while on spring break in Myrtle Beach, S.C, the mother of the missing girl says she's not giving up hope - and she's not at all happy with South Carolina police.

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Dawn Drexel told CBS News' Crimesider Tuesday she won't stop looking for her daughter, and says she is "appalled" police are now saying they believe Brittanee is dead, even though "they don't have a body or remains." Authorities in Georgetown County, S.C. recently said prospects of finding the Rochester, N.Y. girl alive do not look good.

Police said Friday they have identified "persons of interest" in the case, and hope to find evidence that will lead to an arrest. Asked by Crimesider what she knows about those "persons of interest," Drexel said, "We weren't told much by the police at all... they told us that they also have a location of interest. They aren't saying anything about that either."

PICTURES: Where is Brittanee Drexel?

Citing the reported new leads in the case, Brittanee Drexel's family has postponed a safety awareness event in her honor, which was intended to mark the one-year anniversary of her disappearance.

The family also announced on its website, www.helpfindbrittaneedrexel.com, that they will travel to Myrtle Beach for a pre-planned march and candlelight service in honor of the anniversary. .

Brittanee Drexel hasn't been seen since leaving a Myrtle Beach hotel April 25, 2009.

Dawn Drexel said that although it's been a year, she "will never stop looking... we need to find her."

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PICTURES: Where is Brittanee Drexel?

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
April 13, 2010 - Brittanee Drexel Missing: Authorities Identify "Persons of Interest" in Teen's Myrtle Beach Disappearance
September 24, 2009 - Brittanee Drexel Vanished During Spring Break, Will She Ever Be Found?