News 8 has learned the Monroe County Sheriff's Department has launched its own investigation into the disappearance of a Chili teen on spring break.

Sheriff investigators are interviewing the friends who went to Myrtle Beach with 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel.

The last time the Gates Chili junior was heard from was around 9 o'clock Saturday night.  She sent out a text that said she was going to see a friend who was staying at another hotel. No one has seen or heard from her since.

Family members are in Myrtle Beach, looking for Drexel.  News 8's Elizabeth Harness is also en route to South Carolina.  She'll have the very latest on News 8.