It was 2012 when the names Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy first started circulating in the tiny town of Star City, West Virginia. Most people remember the haunting security footage—a grainy image of 16-year-old Skylar Neese sneaking out of her bedroom window, climbing into a sedan, and disappearing into the night. We all know how that story ended. It ended in a wooded area across the Pennsylvania border with a "one, two, three, go" and 50 stab wounds.
But what’s happening with rachel shoaf and shelia eddy now?
Honestly, the case feels like a lifetime ago, yet for the Neese family, the wound is constantly being ripped open by the legal system. As of early 2026, both women remain behind bars at the Lakin Correctional Center in West Virginia. But their paths through the prison system have looked very different. One has been fighting for freedom through parole hearings, while the other seems to have settled into a life behind a fence with almost eerie calm.
Where is Rachel Shoaf Now?
Rachel Shoaf is currently 29 years old. She’s spent nearly a third of her life in a cell. If you’ve been following the news, you know she’s been the "vocal" one of the pair. She was the one who had the mental breakdown six months after the murder, leading police to Skylar’s body because she couldn't handle the guilt—or maybe the pressure.
In the last couple of years, Rachel has tried repeatedly to get out.
She had her first parole hearing in May 2023. She tried again in July 2024. Both times, the board said no. During these hearings, some pretty heavy stuff came out. Rachel tried to claim she was under the influence of marijuana during the murder, hoping it might explain (though never excuse) her actions. The board didn't buy it. In fact, Dave Neese, Skylar’s dad, pointed out that her story about the drugs didn't even match her original court statements.
📖 Related: Whos Winning The Election Rn Polls: The January 2026 Reality Check
Rachel Shoaf's current status:
- Location: Lakin Correctional Center, West Virginia.
- Sentence: 30 years for second-degree murder.
- Next Parole Date: She is eligible for another hearing in June 2025 (which has likely passed or is in progress as we enter 2026) and 2026.
- Projected Release: Her absolute "get out of jail" date is April 30, 2028, if parole isn't granted sooner.
The thing is, Rachel has apologized. She’s cried. She’s told the board she’d trade places with Skylar in a heartbeat. But for the people who watched her hand out "Missing" flyers while knowing exactly where the body was buried, those tears feel a bit thin.
The Chilling Silence of Shelia Eddy
Then there’s Shelia. If Rachel is the "penitent" one, Shelia Eddy is the one who sends chills down your spine. While Rachel was breaking down in 2013, Shelia was tweeting. She was literally posting about the murder and "missing" her best friend while the investigation was active.
She didn't take a plea deal for second-degree murder like Rachel did. She was convicted of first-degree murder.
Because of that, Shelia is serving a life sentence. However, because she was a juvenile at the time of the crime, West Virginia law (and Supreme Court rulings) required that she be given "mercy," which is just a legal way of saying she eventually gets a shot at parole.
👉 See also: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
She hasn't had a parole hearing yet. She’s just... there. According to various reports and prison records, Shelia has been a relatively "quiet" inmate. She hasn't made the same public pleas for forgiveness that Rachel has. She’s just serving her time at the same facility as her former accomplice.
Life Inside Lakin Correctional
It's weird to think about, but they are in the same prison. Lakin isn't a massive place. Do they see each other in the yard? Do they talk? Most experts on the case think the friendship died the moment Rachel "narked" to the FBI. There’s a lot of bitterness there. Imagine being Shelia, knowing you’re in for life because your best friend couldn't keep a secret.
The Motive We Finally Confirmed
For a decade, everyone asked why. Why would two popular, seemingly "normal" girls kill their best friend? The original answer Rachel gave was: "We just didn't like her."
But during the 2023 parole hearing, a deeper layer finally came to light. Rachel admitted that she and Shelia were in a secret romantic relationship. They were terrified that Skylar was going to "out" them to their conservative community and school. That fear—the fear of a 16-year-old’s social status being ruined—was enough for them to pick up kitchen knives and a shovel.
It makes the whole thing feel even more senseless. We live in a world where that kind of secret wouldn't even be a scandal today, but in their minds, it was a death sentence for their reputation. So they chose a literal death sentence for Skylar.
✨ Don't miss: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Release
There’s this huge misconception that they’ll be in prison forever. That’s not how the law works for juveniles.
- Rachel isn't "getting away" with it. Even if she gets parole in 2026 or 2027, she will be under strict supervision for years. If she so much as breathes wrong, she goes back.
- Shelia’s "Life" sentence has a loophole. She becomes eligible for parole in 2028. That doesn't mean she gets out. It just means she gets to ask. Given the notoriety of the case and the relentless advocacy of the Neese family, the odds of Shelia Eddy walking free in 2028 are slim to none.
- The "Skylar's Law" Impact. People forget that this case changed actual laws. Because the police originally thought Skylar was just a runaway, they didn't issue an Amber Alert. Now, "Skylar's Law" in West Virginia means the criteria for alerts are much broader.
The Reality of 2026
Right now, Dave and Mary Neese are the real heroes of this saga. They attend every hearing. They speak at every opportunity. They’ve made it their life’s mission to ensure that "Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy now" stays a search term that leads to prison updates, not "where are they living" updates.
Honestly, the legal battle is exhausting. Every time Rachel applies for parole, the family has to relive the night of July 6, 2012. They have to talk about the bleach, the change of clothes the girls brought, and the way Shelia helped them look for Skylar’s body while knowing she was the one who put her there.
What Happens Next?
If you’re looking for a "redemption" story here, you’re probably not going to find it. Rachel is focusing on her "rehabilitation" and trying to convince the board she’s a changed woman. Shelia is playing the long game, waiting for her 15-year mark in 2028.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Track the WV Parole Board: If you want the absolute latest, the West Virginia Parole Board posts their monthly hearing results online.
- Support Skylar’s Law: The Neese family continues to advocate for missing children. Following their public Facebook pages is the best way to see how the law is being applied in new cases.
- Watch for 2028: This will be the biggest year for the case since the original sentencing, as it’s the first time both killers will potentially be eligible for release in the same calendar year.
The story of Skylar Neese isn't just a true crime podcast episode. It’s a permanent fixture in West Virginia history, a reminder that the people closest to us can sometimes be the ones we should fear the most. For now, the gates at Lakin remain closed.
Next Steps for Readers:
Keep an eye on the West Virginia Department of Corrections (WVDOC) offender search tool. By entering their names (Rachel Shoaf, OID: 3574044; Shelia Eddy, OID: 3573513), you can see real-time updates on their location and any changes to their parole eligibility status.