Rachel Shoaf Now: 5 Shocking Facts About The Skylar Neese Killer & Her Current Prison Status

The tragic and shocking murder of Skylar Neese in 2012 remains one of the most disturbing true crime cases of a friendship turned deadly. The betrayal by her two best friends, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy, captured national attention, leaving a lasting scar on the community of Morgantown, West Virginia. While Shelia Eddy is serving a life sentence, the fate of her accomplice, Rachel Shoaf, continues to be a subject of intense public scrutiny.

As of December 2025, the focus on Rachel Shoaf is particularly sharp, following her most recent parole denial and the approaching date of her next eligibility hearing. Her journey from a seemingly normal teenager to a convicted murderer and her life inside Lakin State Prison offer a chilling look into the aftermath of a premeditated crime. Here are the most current facts and details about Rachel Shoaf and her status today.

Rachel Shoaf: Biographical Profile & Timeline of Betrayal

The events leading up to the murder of Skylar Neese and the subsequent conviction of Rachel Shoaf are a complex narrative of secrets, friendship, and ultimate betrayal. The following is a detailed look at her profile and the case timeline:

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• Full Name: Rachel Shoaf
• Date of Birth: June 10, 1996
• Age (as of 2025): 29
• Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia
• Parents: Rusty and Patricia Shoaf
• Education: Attended University High School, along with Skylar Neese and Shelia Eddy.
• The Crime: Second-degree murder of Skylar Neese
• Date of Crime: July 6, 2012
• Co-Conspirator: Shelia Eddy
• Confession Date: January 3, 2013 (Confessed to authorities and revealed the location of Skylar's body).
• Plea: Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in May 2013.
• Sentence: 30 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after 10 years.
• Current Incarceration: Lakin State Prison, West Virginia.
• Maximum Release Date: April 30, 2028.

1. Her Parole Was Denied—But She’s Eligible Again in June 2025

The most recent and critical update regarding Rachel Shoaf’s status is centered on her pursuit of early release. Shoaf was sentenced to 30 years for second-degree murder, a term that made her eligible for parole after serving 10 years.

She had her second parole hearing in 2023, where she requested release from Lakin State Prison. The West Virginia Parole Board ultimately denied her request. This decision was a significant relief for Skylar Neese’s family, including her father, David Neese, who strongly opposed Shoaf’s release.

However, the denial is not the end of the line for Shoaf. According to court and prison records, Rachel Shoaf will be eligible for another chance at parole in June 2025. If parole is continuously denied, her current maximum release date is set for April 30, 2028.

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2. The Shocking Motive She Finally Revealed to the Parole Board

For years, the public was left to speculate on the motive behind the senseless murder of Skylar Neese by her two "best friends." The case was often cited as a prime example of a "mean girl" mentality spiraling into violence.

During her 2023 parole hearing, Rachel Shoaf finally provided a motive for the killing. While the full, specific details of her statement are not entirely public, the widely reported theory and underlying context involve a deep-seated secret.

The prevailing belief is that Shoaf and Shelia Eddy feared Skylar Neese would reveal details about a secret relationship between the two girls. This fear of exposure, and the potential consequences it would have on their lives and standing in the conservative community of Morgantown, West Virginia, allegedly fueled the premeditated plan to murder their friend.

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3. Shelia Eddy’s Fate is Far Different from Shoaf’s

While Rachel Shoaf is serving a 30-year sentence and has a chance at parole, her co-conspirator, Shelia Eddy, faces a much harsher reality. Eddy was charged with first-degree murder, and in a plea deal, she was sentenced to life in prison with "mercy."

In West Virginia, a life sentence with mercy means the defendant is eligible for parole after serving 15 years. This makes Eddy's first parole eligibility date in 2028—the same year Shoaf is currently scheduled for maximum release. However, due to the nature of first-degree murder, Eddy's chances of release are considered much slimmer, and she will likely remain incarcerated much longer than Shoaf.

4. The Murder Site Was Across the State Line in Pennsylvania

The logistics of the murder itself reveal the premeditated nature of the crime. On the night of July 6, 2012, Shoaf and Eddy picked up Skylar Neese from her Star City, West Virginia home.

They drove Skylar to a remote area in Wayne Township, Pennsylvania, just across the Monongalia County line. This location was chosen specifically because it was isolated and difficult to find. It was in this secluded spot that the two girls carried out the stabbing attack. The fact that they transported Skylar across state lines was a key detail in the federal investigation and the subsequent charges of conspiracy and kidnapping, which were eventually dropped as part of the plea deals.

5. Her Confession Was the Key to Solving the Case

The disappearance of Skylar Neese was initially treated as a missing person case, with both Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy participating in the search efforts and even comforting Skylar's parents, Mary and David Neese.

The case remained a mystery for months until January 2013, when Rachel Shoaf's mental state began to deteriorate under the pressure of the secret. Shoaf confessed to authorities, detailing the murder plan and providing the exact location of Skylar's body in Wayne Township, Pennsylvania. This confession was the turning point that transformed the missing person case into a murder investigation and led to the arrests of both Shoaf and Eddy, bringing a grim resolution to a case that shocked the entire nation and was later documented in the true crime book, "Pretty Little Killers."