Murder of Skylar Neese

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Skylar Annette Neese (February 10, 1996 – July 6, 2012) was an American teenage girl who disappeared from her home in Star City, West Virginia around midnight on July 6, 2012.[1] Neese's body was found on January 16, 2013, in Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.[2]

Neese was murdered by two of her high school best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. On January 3, 2013, Shoaf told authorities that she and Eddy planned and carried out Neese's murder. Shoaf pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on May 1, 2013 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison with eligibility for parole after 10 years.[3] Eddy pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on January 24, 2014 and was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after fifteen years. Neese's disappearance led to new West Virginia legislation that made changes to the AMBER Alert missing child alert system.[4]

Background information[]

Victim[]

Skylar Annette Neese
Skylar Neese.jpg
Skylar Neese
Born
Skylar Annette Neese

(1996-02-10)February 10, 1996
Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
DiedJuly 6, 2012(2012-07-06) (aged 16)
Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, United States
Cause of deathMurder by multiple stabbing by Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[5]
Parent(s)David and Mary Neese

Skylar Annette Neese (born February 10, 1996) was the only child of Mary and David "Dave" Neese. At that time, Mary Neese worked as an administrative assistant in a cardiac lab and David Neese was a product assembler at Walmart. Skylar was a student at University High School who wanted to become a criminal defense lawyer. She worked at Wendy's with two close friends.

Perpetrators[]

Shelia Rae Eddy (born September 28, 1995) was born in Blacksville, West Virginia, the only child of Tara Clendenen and Greg Eddy.

Rachel Shoaf (born June 10, 1996) grew up in Morgantown, the only daughter of Rusty and Patricia Shoaf.

Both perpetrators attended University High School along with their victim.[6]

Disappearance[]

On July 5, 2012, Neese returned to her family's Star City, West Virginia apartment after working a shift at Wendy's. Her apartment complex's surveillance video shows Neese left the apartment via her bedroom window at 12:30 a.m. on July 6 and got into a sedan.[1] Neese's father said she did not take her cell phone charger, her window was left open and that she planned on coming home.[7]

Murder[]

On the night of the murder, Shoaf and Eddy invited Neese to sneak out with them. Neese, who had recently fallen out with the two, was initially hesitant. After a series of phone calls and texts from the girls, Neese changed her mind.

Shoaf and Eddy had been planning Neese's murder for months. They left Eddy's house prepared to carry out the assault on Neese, bringing with them kitchen knives, paper towels, bleach, cleaning cloths, clean clothes and a shovel. They concealed the knives in their purses and hid the remaining items in the trunk of Eddy's vehicle.[citation needed]

At approximately 12:30 a.m., Neese climbed out of her bedroom window, crossed the street and got into the back seat of a four-door sedan. Law enforcement officers later determined that the sedan had been in the possession of Eddy that evening. The three girls then headed northwest from Star City toward Blacksville via U.S. Route 19. The perpetrators had planned to travel along W.V. Route 7, but turned around after spotting a state police car parked in front of a gambling lounge.[citation needed] They eventually arrived at their destination just across the Pennsylvania state border, a spot where all three of the girls had occasionally smoked marijuana.

Once the girls were out of the vehicle, the perpetrators told Neese they had forgotten to bring a lighter. Neese volunteered to go back to the vehicle to fetch her own lighter. Once Neese had turned her back, Shoaf and Eddy counted to three, their agreed-upon signal, then began to stab Neese. The victim attempted to run, but was only able to run a few feet (a meter or two) before Shoaf tackled her to the ground and continued the assault. Neese managed to wrestle Shoaf's knife from her and, in an apparent attempt to defend herself, cut Shoaf's knee. Eddy continued to stab Neese until there was complete silence and, according to Shoaf, "Neese's neck stopped making gurgling sounds." Neese's postmortem examination revealed more than 50 stab wounds.[citation needed]

Shoaf and Eddy attempted to bury the body, dragging Neese to the side of the road, but the road ran along a creek and the soil there was too hard and rocky to dig a hole. They instead covered Neese's body with rocks, fallen branches and dirt. They returned to the car to clean themselves and the murder scene, then left the scene, disposed of their blood-soaked clothing and returned to their homes.[citation needed]

Investigation[]

Neese was initially considered by law enforcement authorities to be a runaway and an Amber Alert was not immediately issued in connection with her disappearance.[4] An early tip indicated that Neese had been seen in North Carolina, but the Star City Police Department determined that the person spotted was not Neese.[8] Neese's parents posted flyers about their missing daughter in the Monongalia County region.[9] Police determined that the unknown sedan in which Neese was last seen belonged to Eddy and interviewed her. Eddy admitted to picking up Neese, but stated that she had dropped her off an hour later.[10] The FBI and the West Virginia State Police joined the search for Neese on September 10, 2012 and began interviewing Neese's school friends.[10]

The break in the case came when Shoaf admitted plotting with Eddy to kill Neese.[11][12][13] The motivation Shoaf gave for the murder was they "didn't like her" and "didn't want to be friends with her anymore".[14][15][16] David Neese stated that these two girls were among his daughter's best friends[17] and that Eddy had even helped the family by distributing missing person flyers.[18][19] After her confession, Shoaf led investigators to Neese's body.[12] On March 13, 2013, U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II issued a press release[20] stating that a body found in Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania[21][22][23] on January 16, 2013 had been identified as the body of Neese. Neese's body was found less than 30 miles (48 km) away from her home.[2]

Criminal charges[]

On May 1, 2013, Shoaf pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.[3][24] According to the court transcript, Shoaf said that she and Eddy picked up Neese in Eddy's car. The girls drove to Pennsylvania, got out of the car and began socializing. At a pre-arranged time, Shoaf and Eddy stabbed Skylar to death.[25] The teens attempted to bury Neese's body, but were unable to do so and instead covered the body with branches. The court transcript indicates that other students overheard conversations between Shoaf and Eddy about the murder plot, but failed to report it, thinking they were joking.[3] According to Shoaf's plea agreement,[26] she pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree by "unlawfully, feloniously, willfully, maliciously and intentionally causing the death of Skylar Neese by stabbing her and causing fatal injuries". In the plea agreement, the State of West Virginia recommended a sentence of 40 years incarceration.[24][26] Shoaf's family issued a public apology for her actions through their lawyer.[27]

On September 4, 2013, West Virginia prosecutors publicly identified Eddy as the second alleged perpetrator of the murder of Neese and announced that she would be tried as an adult.[28] Eddy was indicted by a grand jury on September 6, 2013 on one count of kidnapping, one count of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.[29] She pleaded not guilty.[30]

The date of the trial was originally set for January 28, 2014.[31] Facing the prospect of additional charges from Pennsylvania authorities, Eddy pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. She expressed no remorse, but was sentenced to life in prison "with mercy"; under West Virginia law, she is eligible for parole after 15 years.[32] Pennsylvania authorities did not file charges as per the plea deal.[33]

Following her guilty plea on May 1, 2013, Shoaf received a sentence of 30 years in prison and will be eligible for parole after 10 years.[34][35]

Eddy originally was held in a facility for juveniles after her arrest.[36] Both women are incarcerated at the Lakin Correctional Center in Mason County.[37]

Skylar's Law[]

An Amber Alert was not issued in Neese's disappearance because the circumstances did not meet all four criteria for an alert to be issued: (1) a child is believed to be abducted; (2) the child is under 18; (3) the child may be in danger of death or serious injury; (4) there is sufficient information to indicate the Amber Alert would be helpful.[38] A waiting period of 48 hours had to elapse before a teenager could be considered missing.[39] A West Virginia state legislator from the Neese family home district introduced a bill[40] called Skylar's Law to modify West Virginia's Amber Alert plan to issue immediate public announcements when any child is reported missing and in danger, regardless of whether the child is believed to have been kidnapped.[2][41] Opinion columns appeared in both West Virginia and national media in support of Skylar's Law,[42][43] some of which also acknowledged criticism and drawbacks of the legislation.[42] On March 27, 2013, the West Virginia House of Delegates approved Skylar's Law with a 98-0 vote.[4] On April 12, 2013, the West Virginia Senate unanimously passed the law, but made minor technical changes to the bill which the House of Delegates voted to accept on the same day.[44][45] West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed the legislation into law in May 2013.[7]

National media attention[]

On May 31, 2013, Anderson Cooper covered the story of Neese's murder.

On March 7, 2014, Dateline NBC aired an episode about the murder titled "Something Wicked."

On March 10, 2014, the Dr. Phil show covered the story in an episode titled Best Friends Betrayal; Neese's parents participated, as did two women who described themselves as "second mothers" to Shoaf.

On April 12, 2014, Lifetime aired , a fictional drama.

On July 18, 2014, ABC's 20/20 covered the story in the episode called "Unfriended".[46]

On October 22, 2014, LMN's show I Killed My BFF covered the story using parent and friend commentaries in an episode titled "Real Life Heathers".[47]

On November 14, 2014, Investigation Discovery's show See No Evil covered the story in an episode titled "Skylar Neese". The show uses surveillance video to piece together the last few hours of Neese's life. First person interviews with her family, friends and the investigators are used, along with limited dramatic recreation.[48]

On March 26, 2016, ReelzChannel show Copycat Killers covered the story in an episode titled "Heathers".

On August 7, 2016, Oxygen Channel covered the story on Snapped.

On October 28, 2016, Investigation Discovery covered the story on an episode of Suspicion titled "A Daughter Disappears."

On May 12, 2019, The Generation Why Podcast covered the story on episode 327 titled "Skylar Neese".

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Rippin, Kelly (August 2, 2012). "Father of Star City Teen Begs for Return Home". WBOY News. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Skylar Neese Death: Body Found in Pennsylvania is Missing West Virginia Teen, Federal Officials Say". Crimesider. CBS News. March 14, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Freda, Kim (May 16, 2013). "Court Transcript: Shoaf and Co-conspirator Planned Skylar Neese's Murcer". WBOY news. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Johnson, Shauna (March 27, 2013). "House Approves Skylar's Law". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  5. ^ (July 6, 2012)https://www.pinterest.com/pin/127789708147874799/#:~:text=Skylar%20Earl%2DNeese%20Missing%20Since,Color%3A%20Blue%20Weight%3A%20135%20lbs www.pinterest.com › pin
  6. ^ "WV MetroNews – Teen killer Shelia Eddy admits guilt". wvmetronews.com. January 24, 2014.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Target 11 Investigates How Authorities Handle Missing Persons". WPXI News. May 21, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  8. ^ "Update: Star City Police Continue Looking for Missing Girl". WBOY News. July 23, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  9. ^ "High School Horror in Mon County: Star City Transfixed by Teen Girls' Murder Plot". Saturday Gazette-Mail. The Associated Press. May 25, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Lohr, David (September 10, 2012). "Skylar Neese's Family Fears for Her Safety". Huffington Post. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  11. ^ "W. Va. teen allegedly killed by "friends"". CBS News. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "US Teen Admits to Plotting Best Friend's Murder". 9 News MSN. May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  13. ^ Deutsch, Gail; Valiente, Alexa; Effron, Lauren (July 16, 2014). "Shocking Tweets from Skylar Neese's Killer After She Stabbed Her to Death". ABC News. ABC News Internet Ventures. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  14. ^ Deutsch, Gail; Valiente, Alexa (July 16, 2014). "From Best Friends to Killers: Teens Murder Friend Because They 'Didn't Like Her'". ABC News.
  15. ^ Kercheval, Hoppy (January 24, 2014). "Teen killer Shelia Eddy admits guilt". West Virginia Metro News.
  16. ^ Millea, Holly (September 17, 2014). "Trial by Twitter". Elle.
  17. ^ "Parents of slain girl say 1 of 2 teens accused in her stabbing death was 'like our daughter'". The Washington Post. Associated Press. June 26, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  18. ^ Carreras, Iris (September 5, 2013). "Skylar Neese Update: Prosecutors ID 2nd suspect in W. Va. teen's murder". CBS News. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  19. ^ Jenkins, Jeff (May 1, 2013). "Skylar Neese's Father Full of Emotion". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  20. ^ Ihlenfeld, William J., II (May 1, 2013). "Teens Charged With Murder of Skylar Neese" (Press release). Office of the United States Attorney Northern District of West Virginia. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  21. ^ "Skylar Neese's father says he won't call off protest next time". WV MetroNews. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  22. ^ Baker, Krista (June 24, 2013). "Skylar Neese Memorial Placed in Green County, Pa". Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  23. ^ "Skylar Neese Death: Body found in Pennsylvania is missing West Virginia teen, federal officials say". CBS News. March 14, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "W. Va. Girl Pleads Guilty in Slaying of Fellow Teen". Charleston Daily Mail. The Associated Press. May 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  25. ^ Smith, Vicki (June 29, 2013). "Skylar Neese: What mother says about her suspected killers". Associated Press. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "State of West Virginia Vs. Rachel Shoaf, Case Number 13-F-88, Waiver of Indictment" (PDF). May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  27. ^ The Shoaf Family; Angoiti and Straface L.C. (2013). "Statement" (PDF) (Press release). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  28. ^ Caulfield, Philip (September 5, 2013). "Second teen girl suspected of slaying best friend in shocking West Virginia murder will be tried as an adult". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  29. ^ Kinsell, Tara (September 10, 2013). "Making the case for jurisdiction". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  30. ^ Jenkins, Jeff (September 18, 2013). "Eddy pleads not guilty to Neese's murder, kidnapping". West Virginia Metro News.
  31. ^ "Monongalia County Judge Sets New Trial Date for Shelia Eddy". May 1, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  32. ^ Stebner, Beth (January 25, 2014). "West Virginia teen Shelia Eddy pleads guilty to murdering friend, sentenced to life in prison". Daily News. New York. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  33. ^ Freda, Kim (January 25, 2014). "Monongalia County Teen Pleads Guilty to Murder of Skylar Neese". WBOY. Archived from the original on January 27, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  34. ^ Wilson, Dave (February 25, 2014). "Rachel Shoaf sentenced to 30 years in prison". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  35. ^ Alex Lang (February 27, 2014). "Morgantown teen gets 30 years for friend's murder". West Virginia Press. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  36. ^ "Skylar Neese Update: Sheila Eddy, murder suspect in W.Va. teen's death, denied bail". CBS News. October 15, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  37. ^ Lang, Alex (July 6, 2017). "Judgment is served in Skylar's case: 'It was just draining'". The Dominion Post. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  38. ^ Kinsell, Tara (March 14, 2013). "Remains Identified as Those of Missing Teen". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  39. ^ Pierson, Fallon (April 28, 2013). "Parents Cope With Life After Morgantown Teen Dies". WDTV News. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  40. ^ "Delegates Marshall, Guthrie, Sumner, Barill, D. Poling, Fragale, Hamilton and Boggs, West Virginia House Bill 2453". April 12, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  41. ^ Kerkhoff, John (February 7, 2013). "teenager"-still-missing-after-seven-months/ "Star City "Teenager" Still Missing After Seven Months". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved May 31, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b "Skylar's Law Should Be Strongly Considered". The Journal News. March 21, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  43. ^ "'Skylar's Law' May Save Lives". The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register. March 28, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  44. ^ Jenkins, Jeff (April 12, 2013). "Skylar's Law Heading to Governor's Desk". West Virginia Metro News. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  45. ^ Ali, Ann (April 12, 2013). "'Skylar's Law' Goes to Gov. Tomblin for Approval". The State Journal. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  46. ^ "20/20 07/18: "Unfriended"". American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  47. ^ ""I Killed My BFF" s09/e02:"Real Life Heathers"" at IMDb
  48. ^ ""See No Evil" s01/e02: "What Happened to Skylar Neese?"" at IMDb

Further reading[]

External links[]

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