‘Dateline NBC’ uncovers twisted friendship-to-murder case involving Rachel Shoaf amd Shelia Eddy
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Once inseparable friends, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy's twisted relationship took a dark turn, leading to the unthinkable murder of their best friend, Skylar Neese. Now, years after the gruesome crime that shocked the nation, the spotlight shines on the current lives of these two young women behind bars.
According to records from the West Virginia Department of Corrections, Rachel Shoaf remains incarcerated at the Lakin Correctional Center, where she continues to serve her sentence for her involvement in Skylar's murder. Her projected release date is set for April 2028, though her journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration into society is an ongoing process. While confined, Shoaf undergoes regular evaluations and participates in programming aimed at fostering personal growth and addressing the deep-rooted issues that led her to commit this heinous act.
Similarly, Shelia Eddy's fate mirrors that of her co-conspirator. She too is serving her sentence at the Lakin Correctional Center, awaiting her first parole hearing scheduled for May 2028. Until then, Eddy remains behind bars, subject to the rules and regulations that govern the lives of inmates, as she navigates the path towards potential redemption.
The chilling case of Skylar Neese's murder, as explored in the latest episode of 'Dateline NBC,' has left an indelible mark on the public consciousness. The betrayal of trust and the sheer brutality of the crime continue to haunt those who followed the story, as the stark realities of Shoaf and Eddy's actions come to light.
As the two young women serve out their sentences, the question lingers: can true rehabilitation ever be achieved, or will the shadow of their heinous crime forever taint their futures? The answers may lie in the halls of the Lakin Correctional Center, where the echoes of Skylar's memory continue to reverberate, serving as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of broken friendships and unimaginable evil.
Who are Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy?
Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy were two teenage girls who were once close friends of Skylar Neese, a 16-year-old high school student from Star City, West Virginia. Skylar had considered Rachel and Shelia to be among her best friends, and the three were known to spend a lot of time together.
However, their friendship takes a dark turn when Rachel and Shelia begin to harbor resentment and animosity towards Skylar. The exact reasons for their change in attitude towards Skylar are not entirely clear, but it is believed that jealousy, envy, and personal conflicts played a role.
On the night of July 5, 2012, Rachel and Shelia lured Skylar out of her home under pretenses. They then drove her to a remote area where they brutally murdered her. The details of the murder shocked the community and left many wondering how such a heinous act could be committed by individuals who were once considered friends.
Were Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy in a homosexual relationship?
Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy were in a romantic, homosexual relationship. They kept their relationship a secret, fearing the consequences if it were exposed. When their relationship was discovered, it led to tension and conflict between them. This tension, combined with other factors, contributed to their decision to kill Skylar Neese.
Shoaf and Eddy felt threatened by Neese's presence and feared that their secret relationship would be exposed. They believed that by eliminating Neese, they could resolve their conflicts and maintain their relationship without interference. This, along with other motives, drove them to plan and carry out Neese's murder.
"After things became known with the relationship, there was tension between us,” Shoaf said. “It was hostile and violent, in our teenage minds we didn’t know how to handle the conflict and we just wanted it to stop," Shoaf revealed during her testimony according to Wboy.com
How did Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy escape after killing Skylar Reese?
After killing Skylar Neese, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy attempted to conceal their crime and evade detection. They initially tried to hide Neese's body by covering it with branches in a wooded area, but their efforts to bury her were unsuccessful. They then fled the scene and returned home, hoping to avoid suspicion.
In the aftermath of the murder, Shoaf and Eddy continued with their lives as normally as possible, while keeping the details of their crime hidden. They did not immediately confess to their involvement in Neese's disappearance and instead maintained a facade of innocence.
Despite their efforts to avoid detection, the truth eventually came to light when Shoaf confessed to authorities about their involvement in Neese's murder. This confession ultimately led to the discovery of Neese's body and the unraveling of Shoaf and Eddy's attempts to escape justice.
Why did Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy confess murdering Skylar Reese?
Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy ultimately confessed to murdering Skylar Neese due to mounting guilt and pressure from law enforcement. The weight of their crime became too much to bear, and they felt compelled to come forward with the truth.
The confession process began when Rachel Shoaf reached a breaking point and decided to reveal the details of the murder to authorities. On January 3, 2013, six months after Neese's disappearance, Shoaf admitted to plotting with Eddy to kill Neese. She confessed that they lured Neese into the car under pretenses and then drove her to a secluded area in Pennsylvania, where they stabbed her to death at a pre-arranged time.
Shoaf's confession included specific details about the planning and execution of the murder, as well as the location of Neese's body. Following Shoaf's confession, law enforcement officials were able to locate Neese's remains based on the information provided by Shoaf. The discovery of Neese's body confirmed the truth of Shoaf's confession and provided crucial evidence in the case.
Shelia Eddy also eventually confessed to her involvement in Neese's murder. After Shoaf's confession, Eddy was confronted with the evidence against her and the gravity of the situation. Under pressure from investigators and faced with the prospect of prosecution, Eddy admitted her role in the crime.
She corroborated Shoaf's account of the murder and provided additional details that helped to piece together the events leading up to Neese's death. Overall, the confessions of Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy were driven by a combination of guilt, remorse, and the realization that they could no longer hide from the consequences of their actions.
When were Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy convicted?
Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy were convicted for the murder of Skylar Neese following their confessions and subsequent legal proceedings.
On May 1, 2013, Rachel Shoaf pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with Neese's death. During her plea hearing, Shoaf provided detailed testimony outlining the planning and execution of the murder. Her guilty plea came with a recommendation from the state of West Virginia for a sentence of 20 years of incarceration.
Whereas Shelia Eddy was indicted by a grand jury on September 6, 2013, on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and conspiracy to murder in connection with Neese's death. Initially pleading not guilty, Eddy later reversed her plea and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on January 24, 2014. During her plea hearing, Eddy admitted her role in the murder and provided additional details about the crime. Despite expressing no remorse, Eddy accepted a plea deal that resulted in a sentence of life in prison with mercy, making her eligible for parole after 15 years.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.