Denied Parole And Life Sentences: Where Are Shelia Eddy And Rachel Shoaf Now? (2025 Update)
The tragic and chilling case of Skylar Neese’s murder by her two best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, remains one of the most disturbing examples of betrayal in modern true crime history. As of December 2025, over a decade after the horrific crime, the two convicted killers continue to serve their sentences, with one facing a critical parole hearing in the coming months.
The question of "Where are Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf now?" is frequently searched, reflecting the public's enduring fascination and horror over the 2012 crime. The most current and definitive answer is that both women are incarcerated in a West Virginia correctional facility, but their paths to potential freedom are vastly different, heavily influenced by their respective pleas and sentences for the brutal first-degree murder of their friend. The recent parole denial for Rachel Shoaf has brought new attention to the case and the ongoing suffering of Skylar's parents, David and Mary Neese.
Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf: A Complete Biography and Case Profile
The two convicted murderers were once inseparable best friends with their victim, Skylar Neese, all attending University High School in Morgantown, West Virginia. Their profiles highlight the shocking contrast between their seemingly normal teenage lives and the heinous crime they committed.
Shelia Eddy: The Mastermind
- Full Name: Shelia Rae Eddy
- Date of Birth: September 28, 1995
- Age (at time of sentencing): 19 (Plead Guilty 2014)
- Hometown: Blacksville, West Virginia
- Plea/Conviction: Pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder with Mercy.
- Sentence: Life sentence with mercy, meaning she is eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
- Current Status: Incarcerated at Lakin Correctional Center.
- Parole Eligibility Date: May 1, 2028.
Rachel Shoaf: The Confessor
- Full Name: Rachel Elizabeth Shoaf
- Date of Birth: June 10, 1996
- Age (at time of sentencing): 18 (Plead Guilty 2014)
- Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia
- Plea/Conviction: Pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder.
- Sentence: 30 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after 10 years.
- Current Status: Incarcerated at Lakin Correctional Center.
- Parole Eligibility Date: Eligible for parole annually since 2023.
- Maximum Release Date: April 30, 2028.
The Current Status: Incarceration and Rachel Shoaf's June 2025 Parole Hearing
Both Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf are currently serving their sentences at the Lakin Correctional Center, a women's prison located in West Columbia, West Virginia. This shared incarceration adds a complex layer to the case, as the former best friends and co-conspirators are confined to the same facility, though their interaction is unconfirmed and likely limited.
Rachel Shoaf's Parole Battle
The most significant and time-sensitive update in the case centers on Rachel Shoaf. Having pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, she became eligible for parole in 2023 after serving her minimum of 10 years. Her parole attempts have been a major focus for the Neese family and the media:
- 2023 Parole Denial: Shoaf was denied parole in her first hearing.
- 2024 Parole Denial: In her second hearing, she was again denied parole. Skylar’s parents, David and Mary Neese, have consistently attended these hearings, expressing their anguish and successfully arguing against her release.
- Upcoming June 2025 Hearing: Shoaf will be eligible for parole for the third time in June 2025. This date is a crucial point for all parties involved. If she continues to be denied, her current maximum release date remains April 30, 2028.
Shelia Eddy's Life Sentence
Shelia Eddy, who was convicted of the more severe charge—first-degree murder with mercy—faces a longer path to freedom. Her sentence requires her to serve a minimum of 15 years before she is eligible for parole. Her first parole hearing is scheduled for May 1, 2028, just one day after Rachel Shoaf’s maximum release date. Given the nature of her crime and the “with mercy” provision, her release is far from guaranteed and will be subject to the same intense scrutiny and opposition from the Neese family.
The Chilling Motive and The Legacy of Skylar Neese
The motive behind the murder of Skylar Neese continues to shock and baffle the public. The investigation eventually revealed that the two friends, Eddy and Shoaf, had developed a secret romantic relationship, and the strain this put on their friendship with Skylar led them to plot her death. The official motive cited was "tension between Neese, Eddy, and Shoaf because of the latter two's romantic relationship."
On July 6, 2012, Eddy and Shoaf lured Skylar out of her apartment in Star City, West Virginia, drove her to a remote area in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and stabbed her to death. The cover-up lasted six months until Rachel Shoaf confessed to authorities in January 2013, revealing the location of Skylar's body.
The Impact of Skylar’s Law
The tragedy of Skylar Neese's disappearance and murder led to a significant change in West Virginia law. Because Skylar initially disappeared from her apartment, authorities initially categorized her as a runaway, which delayed the official Amber Alert. In response to this critical flaw, the West Virginia Legislature passed "Skylar's Law."
This new legislation changed the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert in West Virginia, ensuring that law enforcement can issue an alert for missing children and teens even if there is no evidence of an abduction. The law stands as a permanent, positive legacy to Skylar’s memory, aimed at preventing other families from enduring the same agonizing delay.
The Ongoing Vigilance of David and Mary Neese
Skylar’s parents, David and Mary Neese, have become powerful advocates, dedicating their lives to ensuring their daughter’s killers remain incarcerated and that her story prompts legal change. Their presence and testimony at Rachel Shoaf's parole hearings are instrumental in the decisions made by the West Virginia Parole Board.
The Neese family's mission is two-fold: to keep the memory of Skylar alive and to fight tirelessly against the release of the two women who ended her life. Their commitment ensures that every major update in the case, particularly the upcoming June 2025 parole hearing for Rachel Shoaf, is met with the full weight of their advocacy and the public's attention. The emotional toll on the family is immense, as they are forced to relive the details of the betrayal and murder every time a parole date approaches.
As the June 2025 date looms, the world will once again turn its attention to Lakin Correctional Center to see if Rachel Shoaf will convince the parole board of her rehabilitation, or if the powerful voice of Skylar's family will prevail, keeping the convicted killers of Skylar Neese behind bars.
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