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Where Are Skylar Neese's Killers Today? The Shocking 2025 Status Of Shelia Eddy And Rachel Shoaf

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The brutal 2012 murder of Skylar Neese by her two best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, remains one of the most chilling cases of betrayal in modern true crime history. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, public fascination with the case continues, driven by the unimaginable motive and the lingering question: where are Skylar Neese's killers today? The answer lies within the West Virginia correctional system, where both women are serving their sentences, though their paths to potential freedom are starkly different.

The status of both convicted murderers is monitored closely by the public and, most importantly, by Skylar's grieving parents, David and Mary Neese. The most significant updates revolve around parole eligibility, particularly for Rachel Shoaf, who has been denied release multiple times. Shelia Eddy, having pleaded guilty to the more severe charge, faces a much longer wait before she can even petition the West Virginia Parole Board for the first time. The details of their incarceration and their next potential release dates offer the most current look into their lives over a decade after the crime.

Skylar Neese, Shelia Eddy, and Rachel Shoaf: A Complete Profile

The tragedy of Skylar Neese’s death is rooted in the seemingly unbreakable bond between three best friends from the small suburban community of Star City, West Virginia. Their lives, once intertwined at University High School in Morgantown, are now defined by a horrific act of violence.

Skylar Neese (Victim)

  • Full Name: Skylar Annette Neese
  • Hometown: Star City, West Virginia
  • Parents: David "Dave" Neese and Mary Neese
  • Disappearance/Murder Date: July 6, 2012
  • Age at Death: 16
  • Key Detail: Skylar was an only child whose disappearance sparked a massive search effort that lasted for six months before her remains were located.

Shelia Eddy (Killer)

  • Full Name: Shelia Rae Eddy
  • Hometown: Star City, West Virginia
  • Mother: Tara Clendenen
  • Plea/Conviction: Pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder
  • Sentence: Life in prison with mercy
  • Current Status: Incarcerated at Lakin Correctional Center
  • First Parole Eligibility: May 2028
  • Key Detail: Eddy was widely considered the primary instigator and showed no remorse during the initial investigation or sentencing, leading to the more severe conviction.

Rachel Shoaf (Killer)

  • Full Name: Rachel Shoaf
  • Hometown: Star City, West Virginia
  • Plea/Conviction: Pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder
  • Sentence: 40 years in prison
  • Current Status: Incarcerated at Lakin Correctional Center (Age 28 as of 2024)
  • Next Parole Hearing: Scheduled for June 2025 (Outcome not publicly confirmed as of late 2025, but she remains incarcerated)
  • Minimum Release Date: April 30, 2028
  • Key Detail: Shoaf was the one who ultimately confessed to the authorities in January 2013, revealing the location of Skylar's body and the chilling "we just didn't like her anymore" motive.

The Current 2025 Status of Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf

As of late 2025, both Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf are serving their sentences at the Lakin Correctional Center, a women's prison in West Columbia, West Virginia. The question of their future freedom hinges entirely on their respective sentences and the decisions of the West Virginia Parole Board. The latest updates on their potential release dates are the most critical pieces of information for anyone following the case.

Rachel Shoaf: Parole Denials and the 2025 Hearing

Rachel Shoaf, who received a 40-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, has been the subject of the most recent public scrutiny due to her parole eligibility. Her cooperation with law enforcement, which led to the recovery of Skylar's body and the subsequent conviction of Shelia Eddy, factored into her lesser charge and defined minimum sentence.

Shoaf was denied parole in both her 2023 and 2024 hearings, a decision that brought relief to the Neese family. Her next opportunity to face the Parole Board was scheduled for June 2025. While the specific outcome of that June 2025 hearing has not been widely publicized or confirmed as a release, her continued incarceration indicates that she was either denied parole again or is awaiting a future hearing. The Neese family has consistently advocated against her release, arguing that the severity of the crime warrants the full sentence.

Despite the annual parole hearings, Rachel Shoaf's absolute minimum release date, the date she would be freed if denied parole every year, remains April 30, 2028. This date is a critical benchmark in the case, representing the earliest possible time she could rejoin society.

Shelia Eddy: The Long Wait for May 2028

Shelia Eddy's status is less complicated but involves a much longer period of incarceration. Having pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of mercy, which is a condition that allows for parole eligibility.

Under West Virginia law, a life sentence with mercy typically means the individual is eligible for parole after serving 15 years. Since the crime occurred in July 2012, Eddy's first possible date for a parole hearing is May 2028. This date is only a month after Rachel Shoaf’s minimum release date, a fact that many find unsettling given Eddy's role and the lack of remorse she displayed during the court proceedings.

The 2028 date marks the beginning of her eligibility, not a guaranteed release. Given the high-profile nature of the case, the intense opposition from the Neese family, and the brutality of the murder, it is widely anticipated that the Parole Board will deny her release at her initial hearing. Eddy’s sentence ensures that she will spend at least 16 years behind bars before she even gets the chance to argue for her freedom.

The Legacy of Skylar's Law and True Crime Entities

The tragic death of Skylar Neese spurred significant legislative change and became a staple in the true crime genre, ensuring her story—and the status of her killers—remains a persistent entity in public discourse.

Skylar's Law: A Legislative Impact

One of the most enduring legacies of the case is the passing of "Skylar's Law" in West Virginia. Initially, law enforcement struggled to issue an Amber Alert for Skylar because she was considered a voluntary runaway, a loophole in the system. Skylar's Law changed this, mandating that an Amber Alert be issued for any missing child, regardless of whether police suspect foul play or voluntary departure. This crucial change has since been credited with helping locate other missing children, turning a devastating loss into a protective legal measure.

The True Crime Phenomenon

The case has been featured in numerous documentaries, books, and television shows, cementing its place in the true crime canon. Titles like "Pretty Little Killers" and episodes on "Dateline NBC" and "20/20" have meticulously detailed the events leading up to the murder, the shocking motive—that the two girls simply wanted to get rid of their friend—and the eventual investigation that led to the convictions in Monongalia County. These media entities keep the public memory of Skylar Neese alive and ensure continued interest in the status of her killers.

Key entities that remain relevant to the case's legacy include:

  • Lakin Correctional Center: The current location of both Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf.
  • West Virginia Parole Board: The entity responsible for deciding the future freedom of both women.
  • David and Mary Neese: Skylar’s parents, who have become tireless advocates for justice and legislative change.
  • Star City and Morgantown, WV: The communities forever linked to the tragedy.
  • "We just didn't like her anymore": The infamous and chilling motive that shocked the nation.

As Rachel Shoaf continues to face the Parole Board annually, and as Shelia Eddy’s first eligibility date of May 2028 rapidly approaches, the Neese family and the public remain vigilant. The current status of Skylar Neese’s killers is one of continued incarceration, a stark reminder of the consequences of an unthinkable act of betrayal.

skylar neese killers today
skylar neese killers today

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