Denied Parole Again: Where Skylar Neese's Killers, Sheila Eddy And Rachel Shoaf, Are Today

The tragic and brutal murder of 16-year-old Skylar Neese in 2012 remains one of the most chilling cases of betrayal in modern true crime history, a story made even more disturbing by the fact that her killers were her two best friends, Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. As of December 2025, over a decade after the crime, the fate of the two convicted murderers is still a topic of intense public and media scrutiny, especially following recent developments in the parole process for one of the women. The latest information on the status of Skylar Neese's killers confirms they are still serving their sentences, with one recently facing the West Virginia Parole Board.

The case, which shocked the community of Star City, West Virginia, is a stark reminder of the hidden darkness that can exist even in the closest teenage friendships. The search for Skylar, her eventual discovery, and the shocking confession that followed exposed a calculated plot that culminated in a senseless act of violence. Today, the focus shifts to the correctional system and the question of when—or if—her killers will ever walk free, a question with a very different answer for each of the convicted women.

The Betrayers: A Biographical Profile of Skylar Neese, Sheila Eddy, and Rachel Shoaf

The Skylar Neese murder case is inextricably linked to the lives of the three young women who attended University High School together in Morgantown, West Virginia. Understanding their background provides crucial context for the shocking events of July 2012.

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• Skylar Annette Neese (Victim)
  • Born: February 10, 1996
  • Died: July 6, 2012
  • Age at Death: 16
  • Background: Skylar was a sophomore at University High School and lived in Star City, West Virginia. She was known for her close, albeit complicated, friendship with both Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf.
• Sheila Eddy (Convicted Killer)
  • Age at Crime: 16 (She turned 18 before sentencing)
  • Plea: Pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
  • Sentence: Life in prison with mercy, meaning she is eligible for parole.
  • Relationship with Skylar: Skylar and Sheila had been best friends since childhood, a bond that was considered the core of the trio.
• Rachel Shoaf (Convicted Killer)
  • Age at Crime: 16
  • Plea: Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
  • Sentence: 30 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after 10 years served.
  • Relationship with Skylar: Rachel was a newer friend to Skylar compared to Sheila, but was an integral part of their social circle at University High School.

The Current Status: Where Skylar Neese's Killers Are In 2025

The most pressing question for those who follow the case is the current whereabouts and correctional status of Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, particularly given the recent parole hearings. The answer is clear: both women remain in the custody of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Both Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf are incarcerated at the Lakin Correctional Center in West Columbia, West Virginia. This facility is a women's prison, where they have been serving their respective sentences for the brutal 2012 stabbing death of their friend. The judicial outcomes for the two, however, are vastly different, leading to separate timelines for potential release.

Rachel Shoaf's Parole Status: Denied in 2024, Next Hearing in 2025

Rachel Shoaf, who was sentenced to 30 years for second-degree murder, became eligible for parole after serving 10 years. Her parole hearings have been a major focus of recent updates to the case.

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In a significant development, Rachel Shoaf was denied parole for the second consecutive year in July 2024. This denial was a massive relief for Skylar's family, including her father, who has consistently pressed the parole board to keep her incarcerated.

The West Virginia Parole Board's decision means that Shoaf, now 28, will remain behind bars. The latest information confirms she is eligible for another chance at parole in June 2025. Her current, maximum release date, barring any further parole approvals, is scheduled for April 30, 2028. Shoaf's case highlights the intense emotional impact of parole decisions on victims' families and the ongoing pursuit of justice for Skylar Neese.

Sheila Eddy's Sentencing and Parole Eligibility

Sheila Eddy's fate is distinctly different from Shoaf's. Having pleaded guilty to the more severe charge of first-degree murder, she received a sentence of life in prison with mercy. The "with mercy" clause is what makes her eligible for parole, but her timeline is much longer than her accomplice's.

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Eddy's first opportunity to appear before the parole board will not be until 2028. This later date reflects the severity of the charge she pleaded to and her role in the premeditated killing. For the Neese family, Eddy's life sentence provides a longer period of certainty that she will remain incarcerated, though the prospect of her eventual release still looms nearly two decades after the crime.

The Shocking Motive: Why the Best Friends Became Killers

The initial disappearance of Skylar Neese on July 6, 2012, was treated as a missing person case, with Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf even helping to search for her and posting tributes on social media. This deception, which lasted for months, only made the eventual truth more horrifying.

The case broke open when Rachel Shoaf confessed to authorities in January 2013, revealing that she and Eddy had lured Skylar out of her Star City apartment complex and driven her to a remote area near Blacksville, West Virginia, just across the Pennsylvania border. There, they brutally stabbed her to death. The body was hidden beneath rocks and debris, remaining undiscovered for six months.

The motive behind such a heinous act by two seemingly close friends has been a central and profoundly disturbing element of the case. While early speculation and court documents hinted at a falling out, the deepest and most public-facing reason given was chillingly simple: they no longer wanted to be friends with Skylar.

However, more complex and darker details have been suggested and discussed in the years since. One prominent theory, often cited in true crime documentaries and discussions, is that the murder was committed to prevent Skylar from exposing a secret about a sexual relationship between Eddy and Shoaf. This theory suggests that the "friendship" was a cover for a deeper, hidden relationship that Rachel's family, in particular, disapproved of, and Skylar was seen as a threat to their secret.

During her 2023 parole hearing, Rachel Shoaf reportedly offered a motive for the killing, though the specific details are often protected or not fully released to the public. Regardless of the exact dynamic, the core of the tragedy remains a premeditated, senseless act of betrayal, planned by two sophomores from University High School who discarded their friend's life over a secret or a simple desire to sever a bond.

The Legacy of Skylar Neese and the Future of Her Killers

The murder of Skylar Neese led to the passage of "Skylar’s Law" in West Virginia, which changed the way missing person cases involving children are handled. It requires an Amber Alert to be issued for any missing child, regardless of whether foul play is immediately suspected, improving the response time for future cases. This law is a lasting legacy of Skylar's short life and the agonizing search her parents endured.

As for her killers, their lives are now defined by the walls of the Lakin Correctional Center. Rachel Shoaf faces her next parole hearing in June 2025, a date the Neese family will undoubtedly prepare for with the same vigilance as previous hearings. Sheila Eddy, who is serving her life sentence, has her first parole eligibility in 2028. The case of Skylar Neese continues to serve as a grim cautionary tale about the complexities of teenage friendships and the devastating consequences of betrayal.