1 00:00:12,945 --> 00:00:14,145 - I'm craig melvin 2 00:00:14,147 --> 00:00:17,483 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,485 --> 00:00:18,683 - She was beautiful. 4 00:00:18,685 --> 00:00:21,153 Her eyes were just remarkable. 5 00:00:21,155 --> 00:00:22,387 I was gonna be there for her 6 00:00:22,389 --> 00:00:23,355 And she was gonna be there for me. 7 00:00:23,357 --> 00:00:25,757 It didn't matter what it was. 8 00:00:25,759 --> 00:00:27,893 I thought that maybe she'd been kidnapped. 9 00:00:27,895 --> 00:00:29,061 No one knew what was happening. 10 00:00:29,063 --> 00:00:30,629 There's nothing that I could've done 11 00:00:30,631 --> 00:00:32,130 Or anyone could've done. 12 00:00:32,132 --> 00:00:33,232 - Skylar. 13 00:00:33,234 --> 00:00:34,132 Rachel. 14 00:00:34,134 --> 00:00:35,200 Shelia. 15 00:00:35,202 --> 00:00:38,370 Total bffs. 16 00:00:38,372 --> 00:00:39,905 - They hung out all the time. 17 00:00:39,907 --> 00:00:41,206 - You always thought of them as a team. 18 00:00:41,208 --> 00:00:42,974 - The three of them became inseparable. 19 00:00:42,976 --> 00:00:45,177 - Then one ended up missing. 20 00:00:45,179 --> 00:00:47,245 - Nobody's heard from her, nobody knows where she is. 21 00:00:47,247 --> 00:00:50,315 - Somethin's wrong, somethin's bad wrong. 22 00:00:50,317 --> 00:00:52,250 - Where was skylar? 23 00:00:52,252 --> 00:00:54,519 Someone was hiding something. 24 00:00:54,521 --> 00:00:55,654 - I was like-- it's the fbi. 25 00:00:55,656 --> 00:00:57,256 Like, they're serious. 26 00:00:57,258 --> 00:00:59,458 - Twitter, instagram, facebook, 27 00:00:59,460 --> 00:01:03,195 You just see things start to get ridiculously out of control. 28 00:01:03,197 --> 00:01:04,830 - A clique of mean girls. 29 00:01:04,832 --> 00:01:07,065 Were they mean enough to kill? 30 00:01:07,067 --> 00:01:09,801 - She was like, "well, she'll blackmail me." 31 00:01:09,803 --> 00:01:15,207 - It was such a shocking and scandalous kind of case. 32 00:01:15,209 --> 00:01:17,609 - This was diabolical. 33 00:01:17,611 --> 00:01:20,011 - Evil comes in all shapes and sizes. 34 00:01:20,013 --> 00:01:27,919 ♪♪ 35 00:01:27,921 --> 00:01:31,290 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 36 00:01:31,292 --> 00:01:35,026 Skylar neese was her parents' pride and joy, 37 00:01:35,028 --> 00:01:37,429 Scoring straight as in high school 38 00:01:37,431 --> 00:01:39,764 While also holding down a part time job. 39 00:01:39,766 --> 00:01:42,501 But when the popular teenager went missing, 40 00:01:42,503 --> 00:01:46,638 Her family feared she'd been abducted by a stranger. 41 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:51,376 But investigators suspected the crime was personal. 42 00:01:51,378 --> 00:01:54,079 In the search for truth, they would discover a trail 43 00:01:54,081 --> 00:01:56,248 Filled with lies, betrayal, 44 00:01:56,250 --> 00:02:00,852 And a secret too horrific to keep. 45 00:02:00,854 --> 00:02:05,190 Here's andrea canning with "something wicked." 46 00:02:05,192 --> 00:02:07,192 ♪♪ 47 00:02:07,194 --> 00:02:10,495 - In the gentle rolling hills of northern west virginia, 48 00:02:10,497 --> 00:02:13,532 In a sweet college town in the heart of coal country 49 00:02:13,534 --> 00:02:15,800 Lived three teenage girls. 50 00:02:15,802 --> 00:02:18,336 Their photos capture a moment in time. 51 00:02:18,338 --> 00:02:22,807 They were smart, talented, lovely. 52 00:02:22,809 --> 00:02:25,143 Everything a parent could hope for in a daughter. 53 00:02:25,145 --> 00:02:28,413 [laughter] 54 00:02:28,415 --> 00:02:31,350 - And so who could've guessed just by looking 55 00:02:31,352 --> 00:02:34,253 That some of them carried a dark secret about a friend. 56 00:02:42,095 --> 00:02:45,330 - These teens played a strange and haunting game. 57 00:02:45,332 --> 00:02:47,632 - Would you guys rather suffocate or get shot? 58 00:02:47,634 --> 00:02:48,667 - Get shot. 59 00:02:48,669 --> 00:02:51,036 - A game of betrayal that would go way beyond 60 00:02:51,038 --> 00:02:52,437 Typical teenage drama. 61 00:02:52,439 --> 00:02:54,239 - She's callin' out, "help me," you know, 62 00:02:54,241 --> 00:02:55,974 "why, why, why?" 63 00:02:55,976 --> 00:02:59,211 - And at the center of it all was a girl named skylar. 64 00:03:01,915 --> 00:03:04,549 Dave and mary neese welcomed their only daughter 65 00:03:04,551 --> 00:03:06,952 To the world back in 1996. 66 00:03:06,954 --> 00:03:08,854 Tell me about the day she was born. 67 00:03:08,856 --> 00:03:12,324 Was that the greatest moment of your life? 68 00:03:12,326 --> 00:03:15,794 - I wouldn't go that far. [laughter] 69 00:03:15,796 --> 00:03:17,929 - First time you saw her. 70 00:03:17,931 --> 00:03:19,598 - First time I saw her, yes, I can say 71 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,434 That was the greatest moment of my life, yeah. 72 00:03:22,436 --> 00:03:24,736 It was instant love. 73 00:03:24,738 --> 00:03:25,904 - They live in star city, 74 00:03:25,906 --> 00:03:28,807 A small suburb of morgantown, west virginia, 75 00:03:28,809 --> 00:03:32,677 Where dave works at walmart and mary at a medical office. 76 00:03:32,679 --> 00:03:34,846 Skylar was a whirlwind, 77 00:03:34,848 --> 00:03:37,515 A rambunctious, precocious toddler 78 00:03:37,517 --> 00:03:39,217 Who owned her parents' hearts. 79 00:03:39,219 --> 00:03:40,485 - Hey, gorgeous. 80 00:03:40,487 --> 00:03:42,087 - Hi, daddy. 81 00:03:42,089 --> 00:03:43,421 - You a beautiful baby. 82 00:03:43,423 --> 00:03:45,957 She was reading way before she was supposed to, 83 00:03:45,959 --> 00:03:47,826 Doin' math and stuff way before she was supposed to, 84 00:03:47,828 --> 00:03:50,428 So she was a very intelligent little girl. 85 00:03:50,430 --> 00:03:52,063 - Dance for me. 86 00:03:52,065 --> 00:03:53,632 Whee! 87 00:03:53,634 --> 00:03:55,167 - When skylar started nursery school, 88 00:03:55,169 --> 00:03:57,902 She made her first friend, morgan lawrence. 89 00:03:57,904 --> 00:04:00,105 Morgan was drawn right away to skylar. 90 00:04:00,107 --> 00:04:01,573 Did she kind of light up a room? 91 00:04:01,575 --> 00:04:04,109 - Oh, yeah. She had the giggle and the laugh. 92 00:04:04,111 --> 00:04:06,611 - The girls' families became good friends, too. 93 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:08,446 Morgan's parents, dave and cheryl say 94 00:04:08,448 --> 00:04:11,016 Morgan and skylar were like sisters. 95 00:04:11,018 --> 00:04:13,685 - What are your memories of skylar when she-- 96 00:04:13,687 --> 00:04:14,653 When she was this high? 97 00:04:14,655 --> 00:04:16,921 - She giggled all the time. 98 00:04:16,923 --> 00:04:18,323 It just filled our house. 99 00:04:18,325 --> 00:04:19,858 - She had the biggest eyes. 100 00:04:19,860 --> 00:04:21,459 You just wanted to hug her. 101 00:04:21,461 --> 00:04:24,095 - They were good girls, got good grades. 102 00:04:24,097 --> 00:04:26,798 Morgan dreamed of becoming a meteorologist, 103 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:28,667 Skylar a criminal lawyer. 104 00:04:28,669 --> 00:04:31,336 They also had a pact that they would always be there 105 00:04:31,338 --> 00:04:32,537 For one another. 106 00:04:32,539 --> 00:04:35,340 And you would both be in each other's wedding parties? 107 00:04:35,342 --> 00:04:37,809 - Everyone has a sister to put in their wedding, 108 00:04:37,811 --> 00:04:39,344 And we had each other. 109 00:04:39,346 --> 00:04:42,147 - As freshmen at morgantown's university high school, 110 00:04:42,149 --> 00:04:44,015 The two girls drifted apart a little. 111 00:04:44,017 --> 00:04:46,418 With a new school came new friends. 112 00:04:46,420 --> 00:04:49,154 Classmate daniel hovatter says the bubbly skylar 113 00:04:49,156 --> 00:04:50,522 Fit in right away. 114 00:04:50,524 --> 00:04:51,990 - Friends came first with her. 115 00:04:51,992 --> 00:04:54,125 She was always about hanging out with friends 116 00:04:54,127 --> 00:04:56,028 If she didn't have work or school. 117 00:04:56,030 --> 00:04:58,530 - Soon skylar had two new bffs: 118 00:04:58,532 --> 00:05:01,232 Shelia eddy, who the neeses had known for years, 119 00:05:01,234 --> 00:05:02,701 And rachel shoaf, 120 00:05:02,703 --> 00:05:05,637 A striking redhead with broadway aspirations. 121 00:05:05,639 --> 00:05:07,906 It wasn't long before they were calling themselves 122 00:05:07,908 --> 00:05:09,607 The three musketeers, 123 00:05:09,609 --> 00:05:11,710 And in pictures they looked the part. 124 00:05:11,712 --> 00:05:14,979 - They were literally together every second of every day, 125 00:05:14,981 --> 00:05:18,950 It seemed like. They hung out all the time. 126 00:05:18,952 --> 00:05:22,120 - And like all teenage girls, they shared videos and photos 127 00:05:22,122 --> 00:05:24,322 With each other and online, 128 00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:27,192 Giving us a glimpse into their world. 129 00:05:27,194 --> 00:05:29,861 Skylar and shelia just having fun. 130 00:05:29,863 --> 00:05:31,796 - Now lemme try to get on your back with this. 131 00:05:31,798 --> 00:05:32,664 - Oh! - And of course 132 00:05:32,666 --> 00:05:34,199 They occasionally got into trouble, 133 00:05:34,201 --> 00:05:37,536 But even then it was for typical teenage things. 134 00:05:37,538 --> 00:05:40,004 Dave and mary weren't too concerned. 135 00:05:40,006 --> 00:05:43,007 She's a straight a student who loves her parents. 136 00:05:43,009 --> 00:05:44,876 Sid you sort of chalk it up to, 137 00:05:44,878 --> 00:05:47,212 "okay we're not thrilled, but she's a teenager." 138 00:05:47,214 --> 00:05:49,247 - Exactly. 139 00:05:49,249 --> 00:05:51,516 - When summer rolled around after her sophomore year, 140 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,285 Skylar seemed happy. 141 00:05:53,287 --> 00:05:55,821 She had a job at wendy's which she loved. 142 00:05:55,823 --> 00:05:58,356 On Thursday, July 5th, 2012 143 00:05:58,358 --> 00:06:01,092 She came home after work and got ready for bed. 144 00:06:01,094 --> 00:06:02,761 - She put her arm around her mom, 145 00:06:02,763 --> 00:06:05,130 Gave her a kiss and gave her hug, 146 00:06:05,132 --> 00:06:06,898 And said, "I love you, mom." 147 00:06:06,900 --> 00:06:08,833 She turned to me and said, "I love you, dad." 148 00:06:08,835 --> 00:06:10,034 And she went to the room. 149 00:06:10,036 --> 00:06:12,570 - The next day dave planned to meet skylar 150 00:06:12,572 --> 00:06:14,172 In their apartment at lunchtime. 151 00:06:14,174 --> 00:06:16,508 He was surprised that she wasn't there. 152 00:06:16,510 --> 00:06:19,010 A little worried, he called mary. 153 00:06:19,012 --> 00:06:21,179 - I thought she was out with one of her other friends. 154 00:06:21,181 --> 00:06:23,582 I figured they went swimming or shopping. 155 00:06:23,584 --> 00:06:26,118 - Dave called her friends, including shelia. 156 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:27,853 No one had seen her. 157 00:06:27,855 --> 00:06:31,189 Next he went outside and found more cause for worry: 158 00:06:31,191 --> 00:06:34,359 A small bench was tucked near skylar's window 159 00:06:34,361 --> 00:06:36,661 And the window screen was missing. 160 00:06:36,663 --> 00:06:39,197 - At this time I called skylar's cellphone. 161 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:40,799 I said, "yeah, you're in trouble. 162 00:06:40,801 --> 00:06:42,667 You better be callin' me right away." 163 00:06:42,669 --> 00:06:44,936 And so I called her cellphone about 10 times. 164 00:06:44,938 --> 00:06:46,771 I called mary again. 165 00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:48,940 - Again mary told him to calm down. 166 00:06:48,942 --> 00:06:51,810 She said skylar was expected at work at 4:00. 167 00:06:51,812 --> 00:06:53,278 - I said, "we're not gonna worry. 168 00:06:53,280 --> 00:06:56,214 I'll call them about ten after 4:00, 169 00:06:56,216 --> 00:06:58,349 Give her time to clock in and everything, 170 00:06:58,351 --> 00:07:00,251 See if she's there." 171 00:07:00,253 --> 00:07:03,488 - But mary didn't get a chance to call wendy's. 172 00:07:03,490 --> 00:07:05,290 - They called us first wanting to know 173 00:07:05,292 --> 00:07:06,825 If she was coming to work. - Yeah. 174 00:07:06,827 --> 00:07:08,660 - Was that a big moment for you? 175 00:07:08,662 --> 00:07:09,861 - Yeah. 176 00:07:09,863 --> 00:07:13,164 - A few minutes later there was another big surprise: 177 00:07:13,166 --> 00:07:14,399 A call from shelia. 178 00:07:14,401 --> 00:07:17,035 - She said that she had to tell me the truth, 179 00:07:17,037 --> 00:07:20,171 And I said, "well, what truth?" 180 00:07:20,173 --> 00:07:23,842 She said, "well, we did-- we snuck out last night." 181 00:07:23,844 --> 00:07:25,743 - Mary's heart fell. 182 00:07:25,745 --> 00:07:27,779 Skylar had done that once before-- 183 00:07:27,781 --> 00:07:30,515 Gone on a late-night joyride with rachel and shelia. 184 00:07:30,517 --> 00:07:32,550 That time they'd been caught for being out 185 00:07:32,552 --> 00:07:33,885 After the town curfew. 186 00:07:33,887 --> 00:07:36,321 And now here was a worried shelia 187 00:07:36,323 --> 00:07:38,156 Saying they'd done it again. 188 00:07:38,158 --> 00:07:40,692 - I said, "where did you go? Where's skylar?" 189 00:07:40,694 --> 00:07:44,429 And she said that skylar insisted they drop her off 190 00:07:44,431 --> 00:07:46,998 At the end of the street so we wouldn't hear her 191 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:48,666 Sneaking back in. 192 00:07:48,668 --> 00:07:50,335 - Now that missing screen and bench 193 00:07:50,337 --> 00:07:53,004 Outside skylar's window made sense. 194 00:07:53,006 --> 00:07:55,140 Skylar had put it there to boost her self up 195 00:07:55,142 --> 00:07:56,975 So she could get back in. 196 00:07:56,977 --> 00:08:00,078 But it left them with a terrifying possibility. 197 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:03,415 - My first instinct was someone abducted her 198 00:08:03,417 --> 00:08:07,018 From the end of the street to our house. 199 00:08:07,020 --> 00:08:08,487 - Dave called the police. 200 00:08:20,367 --> 00:08:23,034 - The neeses' world had fallen apart. 201 00:08:23,036 --> 00:08:26,238 Their only daughter had disappeared into the night, 202 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,441 And now she'd been gone for nearly 24 hours. 203 00:08:29,443 --> 00:08:32,577 Where was skylar? 204 00:08:32,579 --> 00:08:34,178 - The investigation starts 205 00:08:34,180 --> 00:08:37,649 And concern for skylar begins to grow. 206 00:08:39,586 --> 00:08:41,786 - I just had this horrible feeling in my heart 207 00:08:41,788 --> 00:08:44,455 That something terrible had happened. 208 00:08:44,457 --> 00:08:46,658 - Usually runaways, they take items with them 209 00:08:46,660 --> 00:08:49,327 That they want, especially if she had contacts and glasses. 210 00:08:49,329 --> 00:08:50,995 She didn't take that stuff with her. 211 00:08:50,997 --> 00:08:54,132 - A grainy piece of videotape is about to give police 212 00:08:54,134 --> 00:08:56,268 One giant clue. 213 00:08:56,270 --> 00:08:58,403 What can they glean from this? 214 00:08:58,405 --> 00:09:00,605 - She slowly walked down to a car 215 00:09:00,607 --> 00:09:03,174 And she got in the back seat. 216 00:09:03,176 --> 00:09:07,078 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 217 00:09:10,750 --> 00:09:16,354 ♪♪ 218 00:09:16,356 --> 00:09:19,557 - Star city, west virginia has just 1800 residents, 219 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:21,760 Only one stoplight. 220 00:09:21,762 --> 00:09:24,429 - Skylar going missing was a tough pill to swallow 221 00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:26,164 For the entire community. 222 00:09:26,166 --> 00:09:28,566 - Police officer jessica colebank 223 00:09:28,568 --> 00:09:31,069 Caught the skylar neese case. 224 00:09:31,071 --> 00:09:34,706 - First impression was it could be a runaway. 225 00:09:34,708 --> 00:09:38,977 There are kids that run away all the time. 226 00:09:38,979 --> 00:09:41,346 - It wasn't long before officer colebank 227 00:09:41,348 --> 00:09:43,381 Got the video from the security cameras 228 00:09:43,383 --> 00:09:45,049 At the neeses' building. 229 00:09:45,051 --> 00:09:47,519 Skylar's friend shelia eddy had said 230 00:09:47,521 --> 00:09:49,921 Skylar was home around midnight. 231 00:09:49,923 --> 00:09:54,025 So what was this car doing pulling up around 12:30 a.M? 232 00:09:54,027 --> 00:09:55,727 Who was in it? 233 00:09:55,729 --> 00:09:59,063 Dave neese watched horrified as there on the tape, 234 00:09:59,065 --> 00:10:00,932 Out walked skylar. 235 00:10:00,934 --> 00:10:03,501 - She slowly walked down to a car that was sittin' there 236 00:10:03,503 --> 00:10:06,037 Waitin' on her, and she got in the backseat, 237 00:10:06,039 --> 00:10:07,672 I could tell that. 238 00:10:07,674 --> 00:10:10,575 And she drove away. 239 00:10:10,577 --> 00:10:12,477 - Police couldn't quite make out a license plate 240 00:10:12,479 --> 00:10:14,212 Or tell the make or model. 241 00:10:14,214 --> 00:10:16,814 Skylar's mom mary had a theory. 242 00:10:16,816 --> 00:10:19,751 - She made it home, snuck back in the window, 243 00:10:19,753 --> 00:10:25,423 Then a second person or persons had parked behind the building, 244 00:10:25,425 --> 00:10:28,627 And she snuck out a second time. 245 00:10:28,629 --> 00:10:30,762 - But why? Who was in the car? 246 00:10:30,764 --> 00:10:32,631 And where did they go? 247 00:10:32,633 --> 00:10:34,499 The police didn't issue an amber alert 248 00:10:34,501 --> 00:10:37,101 Since it looked like skylar left voluntarily. 249 00:10:37,103 --> 00:10:39,170 - Once that video came out 250 00:10:39,172 --> 00:10:43,241 That she willingly got in this car, 251 00:10:43,243 --> 00:10:44,909 They're not gonna come out and look for somebody 252 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:46,378 Driving around in a car. 253 00:10:46,380 --> 00:10:48,246 - Skylar's friend shelia came right over. 254 00:10:48,248 --> 00:10:50,915 - She spent a lot of time here telling us that, 255 00:10:50,917 --> 00:10:53,017 "it'll be okay, she'll be home," 256 00:10:53,019 --> 00:10:56,621 And, "I really miss her, I love her, I want her back." 257 00:10:56,623 --> 00:10:59,991 - The next day, shelia sat with mary on skylar's bed, 258 00:10:59,993 --> 00:11:01,993 Both of them crying. 259 00:11:01,995 --> 00:11:04,529 - Did it bring you comfort when shelia would come by 260 00:11:04,531 --> 00:11:06,665 Being skylar's best friend? 261 00:11:06,667 --> 00:11:09,067 - It did me a little bit, yeah, knowin' that-- 262 00:11:09,069 --> 00:11:12,003 How could skylar leave her behind? 263 00:11:12,005 --> 00:11:14,906 - Mary and shelia took to the streets together, 264 00:11:14,908 --> 00:11:16,774 Posting flyers for skylar. 265 00:11:16,776 --> 00:11:18,276 - They would knock on the doors and ask, 266 00:11:18,278 --> 00:11:19,344 "have you seen this girl?" 267 00:11:19,346 --> 00:11:20,912 And we kept showin' the pictures to people. 268 00:11:20,914 --> 00:11:22,146 Nobody had seen her. 269 00:11:22,148 --> 00:11:24,248 - Shelia was very, very worried 270 00:11:24,250 --> 00:11:26,818 About what had happened to skylar. 271 00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:30,021 - Crissy swanson was a close family friend of shelia's 272 00:11:30,023 --> 00:11:32,256 And saw shelia's distress firsthand. 273 00:11:32,258 --> 00:11:35,026 - She was trying so hard to help them find anything, 274 00:11:35,028 --> 00:11:38,697 So hard to help them figure out what had happened. 275 00:11:38,699 --> 00:11:40,298 - The star city police are still looking 276 00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:42,400 For a missing 16-year-old. 277 00:11:42,402 --> 00:11:46,137 - Dave made a plea for help on local news station wboy. 278 00:11:46,139 --> 00:11:50,709 - We love our baby. We want her home. 279 00:11:50,711 --> 00:11:54,045 - By Sunday night, skylar had been gone the whole weekend. 280 00:11:54,047 --> 00:11:56,448 Her family, including her aunt carol, 281 00:11:56,450 --> 00:11:58,149 Was heartsick. 282 00:11:58,151 --> 00:12:00,818 - I just had this horrible feeling in my heart 283 00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:04,455 That, you know, somethin' terrible had happened, 284 00:12:04,457 --> 00:12:08,059 And-and it wasn't like her to-to run away 285 00:12:08,061 --> 00:12:10,795 Or disappear like she did. 286 00:12:10,797 --> 00:12:12,997 - And mary, uh, told me that night, she said, 287 00:12:12,999 --> 00:12:17,802 "somethin's wrong, dave. Something's bad wrong." 288 00:12:17,804 --> 00:12:19,904 - The community held a candlelight vigil. 289 00:12:19,906 --> 00:12:23,541 Skylar's school friends came, including rachael and shelia. 290 00:12:23,543 --> 00:12:26,077 - They were crying, came up and hugged me and mary, 291 00:12:26,079 --> 00:12:28,045 Just crying their eyes out. 292 00:12:28,047 --> 00:12:29,881 - The only thing mary could say was, 293 00:12:29,883 --> 00:12:31,916 "what can we do to help these girls? 294 00:12:31,918 --> 00:12:33,785 How can we help these girls?" 295 00:12:33,787 --> 00:12:35,620 - Skylar's family friend morgan lawrence 296 00:12:35,622 --> 00:12:36,988 Was upset too. 297 00:12:36,990 --> 00:12:39,691 She was away at camp when she read on facebook 298 00:12:39,693 --> 00:12:41,559 That skylar was missing. 299 00:12:41,561 --> 00:12:42,760 How worried were you? 300 00:12:42,762 --> 00:12:46,097 - Oh, I was sick to my stomach all the time worried. 301 00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:47,832 - So was officer colebank. 302 00:12:47,834 --> 00:12:49,700 She was at it non-stop. 303 00:12:49,702 --> 00:12:51,569 - I'd come back to the office in the evenings, 304 00:12:51,571 --> 00:12:54,773 You know, watching the video, getting facebook records. 305 00:12:54,775 --> 00:12:57,141 - Colebank was swamped with tips from people 306 00:12:57,143 --> 00:12:59,010 Saying they'd seen skylar from morgantown 307 00:12:59,012 --> 00:13:01,546 To new york and even california. 308 00:13:01,548 --> 00:13:03,848 Each sighting was a dead end. 309 00:13:03,850 --> 00:13:06,785 At the same time, colebank pulled skylar's records, 310 00:13:06,787 --> 00:13:09,721 And what she found was ominous. 311 00:13:09,723 --> 00:13:13,825 Skylar wasn't using her cell phone or her atm card. 312 00:13:13,827 --> 00:13:17,996 Colebank now had serious doubts that skylar had run away. 313 00:13:17,998 --> 00:13:20,331 - Usually runaways, they take items with them 314 00:13:20,333 --> 00:13:23,000 That they want, especially if she had contacts and glasses. 315 00:13:23,002 --> 00:13:24,468 She didn't take that stuff with her. 316 00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:27,071 - And then police got an important new lead 317 00:13:27,073 --> 00:13:27,972 In the case. 318 00:13:27,974 --> 00:13:29,540 There had been two bank robberies 319 00:13:29,542 --> 00:13:31,442 In the nearby town of blacksville. 320 00:13:31,444 --> 00:13:34,679 Both of them had gone down around the time skylar vanished. 321 00:13:34,681 --> 00:13:35,746 - I was working with other investigators 322 00:13:35,748 --> 00:13:37,582 On those bank robberies. 323 00:13:37,584 --> 00:13:39,317 - While looking into the robberies, 324 00:13:39,319 --> 00:13:41,552 Ronnie gaskins of the west virginia state police 325 00:13:41,554 --> 00:13:43,421 Was called in to skylar's case. 326 00:13:43,423 --> 00:13:45,890 There had been a tip that somehow skylar 327 00:13:45,892 --> 00:13:48,526 Had been at a party with the suspected bank robbers 328 00:13:48,528 --> 00:13:50,561 When something bad happened. 329 00:13:50,563 --> 00:13:51,896 What was the theory? 330 00:13:51,898 --> 00:13:54,532 - They're just rumors, you know, gossip goin' around 331 00:13:54,534 --> 00:13:57,201 That there was this teenage party, uh, 332 00:13:57,203 --> 00:14:02,006 There was a possible overdose, and people there were scared, 333 00:14:02,008 --> 00:14:03,908 So they hid the body. 334 00:14:03,910 --> 00:14:05,209 - It seemed unlikely. 335 00:14:05,211 --> 00:14:07,245 Skylar didn't use heavy drugs. 336 00:14:07,247 --> 00:14:10,181 - It was just a lot of tracking down rumors-- 337 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:13,117 Tons and tons and tons of rumors. 338 00:14:13,119 --> 00:14:15,219 - All leading nowhere. 339 00:14:15,221 --> 00:14:17,922 By now skylar had been gone more than a month. 340 00:14:17,924 --> 00:14:21,392 Gaskins vowed he would find her. 341 00:14:21,394 --> 00:14:22,960 - I don't like to make promises in my line of work, 342 00:14:22,962 --> 00:14:26,530 But the only promise I made today was we would never stop, 343 00:14:26,532 --> 00:14:29,133 You know, we would never give up in trying to find out 344 00:14:29,135 --> 00:14:30,601 What happened to skylar. 345 00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:32,870 - Their search for skylar had taken them 346 00:14:32,872 --> 00:14:34,872 Across the united states. 347 00:14:34,874 --> 00:14:38,076 What they didn't know then was that the truth was right there 348 00:14:38,078 --> 00:14:42,680 In morgantown at university high. 349 00:14:42,682 --> 00:14:44,682 - As investigators gathered more evidence, 350 00:14:44,684 --> 00:14:47,351 Two potential suspects emerge. 351 00:14:47,353 --> 00:14:50,821 Did the pair know more about skylar's disappearance 352 00:14:50,823 --> 00:14:53,157 Than they were letting on? 353 00:14:53,159 --> 00:14:55,827 Police were not the only ones with suspicions. 354 00:14:57,897 --> 00:15:01,032 - I started posting on facebook things about karma, 355 00:15:01,034 --> 00:15:04,769 "karma will get you," "you can't hide." 356 00:15:04,771 --> 00:15:07,171 - Twitter, instagram, and facebook. 357 00:15:07,173 --> 00:15:10,041 Things start to get ridiculously out of control. 358 00:15:10,043 --> 00:15:11,642 - Whispers in the hallways. 359 00:15:11,644 --> 00:15:14,211 Was someone hiding something? 360 00:15:14,213 --> 00:15:15,546 - Rachel seemed distressed. 361 00:15:15,548 --> 00:15:19,450 She seemed like she was very upset. 362 00:15:19,452 --> 00:15:21,719 I mean, this was eating at her heart. 363 00:15:21,721 --> 00:15:24,388 - Police are about to get a break. 364 00:15:24,390 --> 00:15:26,490 - That was an aha moment. 365 00:15:26,492 --> 00:15:29,994 Finally we have something to go on. 366 00:15:29,996 --> 00:15:32,997 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 367 00:15:37,602 --> 00:15:45,576 ♪♪ 368 00:15:45,578 --> 00:15:48,245 - The first day of school the fall of 2012 369 00:15:48,247 --> 00:15:49,580 Was heartbreaking. 370 00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:52,817 One of university high school's top students, skylar neese, 371 00:15:52,819 --> 00:15:54,618 Had disappeared during the summer. 372 00:15:54,620 --> 00:15:57,088 Classmate shania ammons. 373 00:15:57,090 --> 00:16:00,091 - Starting school without her, like, that was probably 374 00:16:00,093 --> 00:16:02,960 One of the hardest days through the whole thing. 375 00:16:02,962 --> 00:16:04,696 Like, skylar was a go-to person, 376 00:16:04,698 --> 00:16:05,897 And she was just gone. 377 00:16:05,899 --> 00:16:07,365 - Skylar's friend morgan lawrence 378 00:16:07,367 --> 00:16:09,633 Was dreading roll call. 379 00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:11,869 - I didn't have any classes with her, thank god. 380 00:16:11,871 --> 00:16:13,237 - You didn't want to hear her name called? 381 00:16:13,239 --> 00:16:15,439 - It's not the same. It's-- 382 00:16:15,441 --> 00:16:17,441 You know, you can't tell the teacher, 383 00:16:17,443 --> 00:16:19,710 "we don't know if she's coming back." 384 00:16:19,712 --> 00:16:21,479 - Shelia, come here. 385 00:16:21,481 --> 00:16:23,381 - In some ways, life seemed normal. 386 00:16:23,383 --> 00:16:25,516 Skylar's good friend shelia eddy, 387 00:16:25,518 --> 00:16:28,185 Seen here in this video taken in the classroom, 388 00:16:28,187 --> 00:16:29,654 Is back in school. 389 00:16:29,656 --> 00:16:31,789 - I don't want my baby to look like him. 390 00:16:31,791 --> 00:16:34,192 - So is bff rachel shoaf. 391 00:16:34,194 --> 00:16:36,961 Rachel got the lead in the fall play. 392 00:16:36,963 --> 00:16:39,263 But everyone was worried about skylar, 393 00:16:39,265 --> 00:16:42,066 And in school hallways and on social media, 394 00:16:42,068 --> 00:16:43,801 Rumors flew. 395 00:16:43,803 --> 00:16:45,903 - Between twitter, and instagram, 396 00:16:45,905 --> 00:16:50,074 And facebook, you just see things start to get 397 00:16:50,076 --> 00:16:52,076 Ridiculously out of control. 398 00:16:52,078 --> 00:16:55,413 - Kids saying things from skylar had overdosed 399 00:16:55,415 --> 00:16:59,917 And things that skylar's in a different country. 400 00:16:59,919 --> 00:17:02,553 - Daniel hovatter was in drama with rachel 401 00:17:02,555 --> 00:17:05,023 And knew how close the three girls were. 402 00:17:05,025 --> 00:17:07,691 He wondered if rachel and shelia might be helping 403 00:17:07,693 --> 00:17:09,827 Cover something up for skylar. 404 00:17:09,829 --> 00:17:11,429 There had been rumors going around, just, 405 00:17:11,431 --> 00:17:13,831 "oh, rachel and shelia know where she's hiding." 406 00:17:13,833 --> 00:17:15,900 - Daniel knew rachel and shelia 407 00:17:15,902 --> 00:17:18,202 Were the last ones to see skylar. 408 00:17:18,204 --> 00:17:20,237 He wondered if they were protecting her, 409 00:17:20,239 --> 00:17:22,774 Or maybe protecting someone else. 410 00:17:22,776 --> 00:17:25,576 Either way, they had to know something. 411 00:17:25,578 --> 00:17:28,246 - There were probably a good three, four, five times 412 00:17:28,248 --> 00:17:31,049 Where I told rachel, "if you know anything, 413 00:17:31,051 --> 00:17:34,385 You need to say what happened or where she's at." 414 00:17:34,387 --> 00:17:35,853 - Daniel wasn't alone. 415 00:17:35,855 --> 00:17:37,988 Writers daleen berry and geoff fuller 416 00:17:37,990 --> 00:17:40,258 Live in the morgantown area and have written a book 417 00:17:40,260 --> 00:17:41,826 About skylar's case. 418 00:17:41,828 --> 00:17:43,928 They've spent hours combing through 419 00:17:43,930 --> 00:17:46,097 What kids were saying on social media. 420 00:17:46,099 --> 00:17:50,134 - The one thing that stood out to me is that people, 421 00:17:50,136 --> 00:17:51,802 Teens were tweeting, 422 00:17:51,804 --> 00:17:54,405 "shelia and rachel had to know something." 423 00:17:54,407 --> 00:17:55,406 - "why don't you guys just talk? 424 00:17:55,408 --> 00:17:57,041 Just say something," you know. 425 00:17:57,043 --> 00:17:59,077 - Yeah. - "tell us what you know." 426 00:17:59,079 --> 00:18:01,479 - The heat got turned up on the girls 427 00:18:01,481 --> 00:18:03,047 When the fbi showed up 428 00:18:03,049 --> 00:18:05,316 And started interviewing students. 429 00:18:05,318 --> 00:18:07,618 - I was only interviewed once. 430 00:18:07,620 --> 00:18:09,220 I guess I was nervous, 'cause I was like-- 431 00:18:09,222 --> 00:18:11,889 It's the fbi. Like, they're serious. 432 00:18:11,891 --> 00:18:13,557 They asked me about rachel and shelia, 433 00:18:13,559 --> 00:18:15,226 If they seemed any different. 434 00:18:15,228 --> 00:18:19,063 And I was telling 'em they didn't seem different, 435 00:18:19,065 --> 00:18:23,067 But they were secluded to themselves more. 436 00:18:23,069 --> 00:18:26,170 - The normal fall rituals like football and homecoming 437 00:18:26,172 --> 00:18:28,272 Were punctuated with police visits 438 00:18:28,274 --> 00:18:30,041 To rachel and shelia. 439 00:18:30,043 --> 00:18:31,909 Kids say rachel left play rehearsal 440 00:18:31,911 --> 00:18:34,178 To meet with the fbi. 441 00:18:34,180 --> 00:18:35,379 Mary and dave neese, 442 00:18:35,381 --> 00:18:37,381 Desperate to find their daughter, 443 00:18:37,383 --> 00:18:39,350 Thought the police were wasting their time 444 00:18:39,352 --> 00:18:42,153 Investigating the girls they knew so well. 445 00:18:42,155 --> 00:18:43,521 - I even went to the police and said, 446 00:18:43,523 --> 00:18:46,057 "will you leave shelia alone, please." 447 00:18:46,059 --> 00:18:48,459 I said, "you guys are harassing her 24/7. 448 00:18:48,461 --> 00:18:50,294 The kid's goin' through enough right now. 449 00:18:50,296 --> 00:18:51,996 Leave her alone." 450 00:18:51,998 --> 00:18:53,264 She was like our daughter. 451 00:18:53,266 --> 00:18:55,866 - But investigators were convinced the two girls 452 00:18:55,868 --> 00:18:58,336 Knew more than they were saying. 453 00:18:58,338 --> 00:19:00,804 That fall, ronnie gaskins interviewed 454 00:19:00,806 --> 00:19:02,740 Each girl repeatedly. 455 00:19:02,742 --> 00:19:04,942 How was shelia's demeanor in these meetings 456 00:19:04,944 --> 00:19:06,043 You would have with her? 457 00:19:06,045 --> 00:19:08,812 - Calm, collect. 458 00:19:08,814 --> 00:19:10,414 Just would look at you right in the face, 459 00:19:10,416 --> 00:19:12,149 Right in your eyes. 460 00:19:12,151 --> 00:19:14,185 - He says rachel seemed distracted. 461 00:19:14,187 --> 00:19:17,655 - She would draw on the desk, play with the pencil. 462 00:19:17,657 --> 00:19:19,924 Just her nonverbal cues spoke a lot. 463 00:19:23,896 --> 00:19:27,164 - Their story never varied: They picked skylar up, 464 00:19:27,166 --> 00:19:29,967 Drove around morgantown, smoked a little pot, 465 00:19:29,969 --> 00:19:32,603 And dropped her off a few blocks from home. 466 00:19:32,605 --> 00:19:35,439 - It was like a recording with these two. 467 00:19:35,441 --> 00:19:37,708 - In the meantime, the officers had begun 468 00:19:37,710 --> 00:19:40,378 To collect physical evidence, and it didn't match up 469 00:19:40,380 --> 00:19:42,780 With the story the girls had been telling. 470 00:19:42,782 --> 00:19:45,115 Surveillance video from a convenience store 471 00:19:45,117 --> 00:19:48,352 Put the girls' car not heading east as they'd said, 472 00:19:48,354 --> 00:19:51,155 But heading west toward blacksville. 473 00:19:51,157 --> 00:19:53,724 And the girls' phone records from that night showed 474 00:19:53,726 --> 00:19:57,995 Rachel's phone pinging off a cell tower in blacksville. 475 00:19:57,997 --> 00:20:00,731 - That was an aha moment. 476 00:20:00,733 --> 00:20:03,467 Finally we have something to go on 477 00:20:03,469 --> 00:20:06,370 That's different from their story. 478 00:20:06,372 --> 00:20:09,740 - Now even skylar's parents joined the chorus of people 479 00:20:09,742 --> 00:20:12,009 Trying to get the girls to talk. 480 00:20:12,011 --> 00:20:15,446 - I started posting on facebook things about karma. 481 00:20:15,448 --> 00:20:18,649 "karma will get you," "you can't hide." 482 00:20:18,651 --> 00:20:20,251 We were pushing. 483 00:20:20,253 --> 00:20:22,820 We were pushing the girls to get them 484 00:20:22,822 --> 00:20:24,822 To say what happened. 485 00:20:24,824 --> 00:20:27,091 - By late November, the pressure seemed to be 486 00:20:27,093 --> 00:20:28,826 Taking its toll on rachel. 487 00:20:28,828 --> 00:20:30,661 In an interview, she surprised police 488 00:20:30,663 --> 00:20:33,764 By changing her story, admitting for the first time 489 00:20:33,766 --> 00:20:36,433 That they did drive to blacksville that night, 490 00:20:36,435 --> 00:20:38,102 And that's where skylar told them 491 00:20:38,104 --> 00:20:39,904 To let her out of the car. 492 00:20:39,906 --> 00:20:42,906 Blacksville, where those bank robberies had happened. 493 00:20:42,908 --> 00:20:46,844 The next day, shelia changed her story to say the same thing. 494 00:20:46,846 --> 00:20:49,247 That must have been a big red flag for you. 495 00:20:49,249 --> 00:20:51,248 - Absolutely. 496 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:54,685 - At school, kids say rachel was increasingly rattled. 497 00:20:54,687 --> 00:20:56,453 - Rachel seemed distressed. 498 00:20:56,455 --> 00:21:01,625 She seemed like she was very upset over something. 499 00:21:01,627 --> 00:21:03,594 I mean, this was eating in her heart. 500 00:21:03,596 --> 00:21:06,030 - Rachel shoaf was about to crack. 501 00:21:09,769 --> 00:21:11,869 - Gimme the phone. - Give it to me! 502 00:21:19,412 --> 00:21:23,013 - An emergency at home and an interview with police. 503 00:21:23,015 --> 00:21:27,518 What exactly was rachel shoaf about to reveal? 504 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,020 - We were speechless. 505 00:21:29,022 --> 00:21:32,223 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 506 00:21:41,767 --> 00:21:44,168 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 507 00:21:44,170 --> 00:21:45,436 I'm craig melvin. 508 00:21:45,438 --> 00:21:49,173 A secret is a dangerous thing. 509 00:21:49,175 --> 00:21:53,277 The bigger it is, the harder it is to keep. 510 00:21:53,279 --> 00:21:56,514 Investigators suspected rachel shoaf and shelia eddy 511 00:21:56,516 --> 00:22:00,617 Shared a very big one about what happened to skylar neese 512 00:22:00,619 --> 00:22:02,786 On her last night alive. 513 00:22:02,788 --> 00:22:05,923 Now skylar had been gone nearly six months. 514 00:22:05,925 --> 00:22:08,058 And as the holidays rolled around, 515 00:22:08,060 --> 00:22:11,595 One of the two was about to talk. 516 00:22:11,597 --> 00:22:15,132 Here's andrea canning with more of "something wicked." 517 00:22:18,237 --> 00:22:22,005 - Christmas 2012 came and went for skylar neese's parents 518 00:22:22,007 --> 00:22:23,340 Dave and mary. 519 00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:26,210 It had been six months since their daughter had disappeared. 520 00:22:26,212 --> 00:22:28,512 The holidays must have been very tough that year, 521 00:22:28,514 --> 00:22:30,080 Christmas time. 522 00:22:30,082 --> 00:22:33,484 - We didn't celebrate. - No. 523 00:22:33,486 --> 00:22:36,253 We didn't put up any tree, we didn't do anything. 524 00:22:36,255 --> 00:22:38,689 - Just another day. - Yup. 525 00:22:38,691 --> 00:22:41,859 - Around that time, rachel shoaf and shelia eddy 526 00:22:41,861 --> 00:22:44,094 Stopped attending university high. 527 00:22:44,096 --> 00:22:46,964 Their few remaining friends told authors daleen berry 528 00:22:46,966 --> 00:22:49,867 And geoff fuller that rachel seemed agitated. 529 00:22:49,869 --> 00:22:53,337 - She was acting out, getting into more, 530 00:22:53,339 --> 00:22:55,373 Um, family altercations at home. 531 00:22:55,375 --> 00:22:57,241 - So the walls were closing in on rachel. 532 00:22:57,243 --> 00:22:58,642 - Mmm. 533 00:23:06,719 --> 00:23:10,854 - And then on December 28th, rachel apparently snapped. 534 00:23:10,856 --> 00:23:12,590 Her upset mother called the police. 535 00:23:16,863 --> 00:23:18,229 - Give it to me! 536 00:23:25,738 --> 00:23:28,872 - And rachel was taken to a mental health facility. 537 00:23:28,874 --> 00:23:31,108 A few days later, corporal ronnie gaskins 538 00:23:31,110 --> 00:23:33,143 Got a big surprise. 539 00:23:33,145 --> 00:23:36,046 Rachel wanted to meet at her lawyer's office. 540 00:23:36,048 --> 00:23:38,482 She had something she wanted to say. 541 00:23:38,484 --> 00:23:42,753 Take us inside that attorney's office with rachel. 542 00:23:42,755 --> 00:23:44,421 What was her demeanor? 543 00:23:44,423 --> 00:23:46,623 - I remember her pulling up a wastebasket next to her. 544 00:23:46,625 --> 00:23:48,192 She was afraid she was gonna throw up. 545 00:23:48,194 --> 00:23:51,162 And then we started askin' her the questions 546 00:23:51,164 --> 00:23:53,030 That we thought she would answer. 547 00:23:53,032 --> 00:23:54,698 Did she overdose? Was there a party? 548 00:23:54,700 --> 00:23:58,235 And I remember she just-- her face got really red 549 00:23:58,237 --> 00:24:02,372 And she just, you know, glanced at us and said, 550 00:24:02,374 --> 00:24:04,108 "we stabbed her." 551 00:24:04,110 --> 00:24:07,445 - It wasn't an accident, it was a murder. 552 00:24:07,447 --> 00:24:10,347 And not only had rachel and shelia killed skylar, 553 00:24:10,349 --> 00:24:12,716 They had planned it for months. 554 00:24:12,718 --> 00:24:14,084 - Oh, my god. 555 00:24:14,086 --> 00:24:16,120 - All the while looking and acting like 556 00:24:16,122 --> 00:24:17,454 The best of friends, 557 00:24:17,456 --> 00:24:20,724 As shelia and skylar do in this video. 558 00:24:20,726 --> 00:24:21,959 As part of the plan, 559 00:24:21,961 --> 00:24:24,528 Rachel and shelia settled on the night of July 5th 560 00:24:24,530 --> 00:24:28,232 As the ideal time to kill skylar. 561 00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:31,435 - Earlier that day, rachel had, uh, 562 00:24:31,437 --> 00:24:34,939 Obtained the shovel from her father's residence. 563 00:24:34,941 --> 00:24:36,540 They put it in shelia's trunk. 564 00:24:36,542 --> 00:24:40,244 They brought the clean clothes, cleaning supplies, 565 00:24:40,246 --> 00:24:41,345 And according to rachel, 566 00:24:41,347 --> 00:24:44,281 Shelia had provided the kitchen knives. 567 00:24:44,283 --> 00:24:47,351 They called skylar to say they were on their way over. 568 00:24:47,353 --> 00:24:49,353 - Pulled up to the residence. 569 00:24:49,355 --> 00:24:51,989 - And there is skylar sneaking out 570 00:24:51,991 --> 00:24:54,157 In that grainy surveillance video. 571 00:24:54,159 --> 00:24:58,962 The car is shelia's and inside are skylar's two best friends. 572 00:24:58,964 --> 00:25:02,933 - Skylar gets in the car and they go drivin'. 573 00:25:02,935 --> 00:25:04,902 - And they drove for nearly an hour, 574 00:25:04,904 --> 00:25:06,937 For miles and miles, 575 00:25:06,939 --> 00:25:10,240 Dark winding roads out past blacksville. 576 00:25:10,242 --> 00:25:12,309 - They get to the scene, they park the car, 577 00:25:12,311 --> 00:25:15,445 And they found an area where they could sit and talk. 578 00:25:15,447 --> 00:25:18,048 Skylar leaves to go back to the car, 579 00:25:18,050 --> 00:25:20,918 And then rachel said, "on three." 580 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:23,921 - According to gaskins, rachel said she counted, 581 00:25:23,923 --> 00:25:27,391 "one, two, three." 582 00:25:27,393 --> 00:25:30,427 And on three, the two girls began. 583 00:25:30,429 --> 00:25:32,196 - That's when her and shelia 584 00:25:32,198 --> 00:25:37,234 Started stabbing skylar from behind. 585 00:25:40,606 --> 00:25:42,339 - Oh, my god, matches. 586 00:25:42,341 --> 00:25:46,977 - Gaskin says skylar fought hard to defend herself. 587 00:25:46,979 --> 00:25:49,880 Did rachel indicate what skylar's last words were, 588 00:25:49,882 --> 00:25:52,716 Her final moments, in that meeting? 589 00:25:52,718 --> 00:25:56,620 - She said skylar just said, "why?" 590 00:25:56,622 --> 00:25:58,455 And that was-- that's all she said. 591 00:26:00,893 --> 00:26:02,693 - Rachel said the girls covered the body 592 00:26:02,695 --> 00:26:04,328 With dirt and branches, 593 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:06,597 Threw their bloody clothes in the trunk, 594 00:26:06,599 --> 00:26:09,533 And left skylar there. 595 00:26:09,535 --> 00:26:12,869 Did rachel express how she felt when the crime was over? 596 00:26:12,871 --> 00:26:14,338 - Yeah, I just remember her saying 597 00:26:14,340 --> 00:26:16,707 That this was something she wanted to get done 598 00:26:16,709 --> 00:26:18,776 Before she went to church camp. 599 00:26:18,778 --> 00:26:20,043 - How did you feel when she said, 600 00:26:20,045 --> 00:26:23,047 "I had to get this done before church camp"? 601 00:26:23,049 --> 00:26:24,781 - What are we dealing with? 602 00:26:24,783 --> 00:26:27,417 - Did you ask rachel why? 603 00:26:27,419 --> 00:26:29,152 "why did you two do this?" 604 00:26:29,154 --> 00:26:32,889 - She would not give us any specific details 605 00:26:32,891 --> 00:26:35,292 Other than they just didn't like her. 606 00:26:35,294 --> 00:26:36,259 And then when I asked her, 607 00:26:36,261 --> 00:26:37,461 "what do you mean, you didn't like her? 608 00:26:37,463 --> 00:26:38,895 Clarify that," she said, "oh, nothin', 609 00:26:38,897 --> 00:26:40,931 We just didn't like her." 610 00:26:40,933 --> 00:26:42,599 - After telling police the story, 611 00:26:42,601 --> 00:26:45,335 Rachel led authorities down that lonely road 612 00:26:45,337 --> 00:26:48,005 Past blacksville to a spot just across 613 00:26:48,007 --> 00:26:49,806 The pennsylvania border. 614 00:26:49,808 --> 00:26:53,477 There they eventually found a few scattered human remains 615 00:26:53,479 --> 00:26:56,079 And sent them to a lab for testing. 616 00:26:56,081 --> 00:26:58,415 - I just couldn't imagine the pain and suffering 617 00:26:58,417 --> 00:27:01,718 And the fear she went through, bein' alone in that place 618 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,788 With her two best friends, and she knew what was happening 619 00:27:04,790 --> 00:27:07,090 When they started stabbin' her. 620 00:27:07,092 --> 00:27:09,559 - Authorities kept rachel's confession secret, 621 00:27:09,561 --> 00:27:11,228 Even from the neeses, 622 00:27:11,230 --> 00:27:13,196 While the investigation continued. 623 00:27:13,198 --> 00:27:16,500 The fbi told mary and dave only that remains 624 00:27:16,502 --> 00:27:19,603 Believed to be skylar's had been found. 625 00:27:19,605 --> 00:27:22,406 - I broke down pretty bad, yeah. 626 00:27:22,408 --> 00:27:24,508 - We both did. That was a bad day. 627 00:27:24,510 --> 00:27:27,744 - It was so lonely 628 00:27:27,746 --> 00:27:31,248 And so deserted. 629 00:27:31,250 --> 00:27:34,785 And it was a horrible thing to know that she had been there 630 00:27:34,787 --> 00:27:36,854 And no one knew. 631 00:27:36,856 --> 00:27:40,691 - One, two, three, go. 632 00:27:42,194 --> 00:27:43,527 Happy birthday, skylar. 633 00:27:43,529 --> 00:27:46,196 - In February of 2013, just as they had 634 00:27:46,198 --> 00:27:47,531 Since she was a little girl... 635 00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:49,667 - Ready? - I'm ready, piglet. 636 00:27:49,669 --> 00:27:52,836 - The neeses gathered with friends on skylar's birthday, 637 00:27:52,838 --> 00:27:54,304 This time without her. 638 00:27:54,306 --> 00:27:57,641 They quietly told the lawrences their awful news. 639 00:27:57,643 --> 00:28:01,645 Did your heart just break for mary and dave? 640 00:28:01,647 --> 00:28:04,848 - My heart was slowly breaking the entire time. 641 00:28:04,850 --> 00:28:06,350 - I remember the first thing I felt, 642 00:28:06,352 --> 00:28:08,452 It was just like a surreal of-- 643 00:28:08,454 --> 00:28:13,557 I know she's not, you know, out there in the cold. 644 00:28:13,559 --> 00:28:16,493 - Ronnie gaskins had a confession from rachel, 645 00:28:16,495 --> 00:28:19,930 And she'd led him to a body, but it wasn't enough. 646 00:28:19,932 --> 00:28:21,965 Why wouldn't you arrest somebody right away 647 00:28:21,967 --> 00:28:24,067 Who's confessed to killing someone? 648 00:28:24,069 --> 00:28:26,903 - She had lied to us a number of times before. 649 00:28:26,905 --> 00:28:29,840 So we had to say, "well, who's to say she's lying again?" 650 00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:32,075 So we had to corroborate her statement. 651 00:28:32,077 --> 00:28:34,611 - What's more, gaskins needed rachel. 652 00:28:34,613 --> 00:28:36,179 So he didn't arrest her. 653 00:28:36,181 --> 00:28:41,752 Instead, he was about to use rachel to get shelia. 654 00:28:44,356 --> 00:28:47,191 - Grieving or pretending? 655 00:28:47,193 --> 00:28:49,926 - Shelia seemed like she was so upset 656 00:28:49,928 --> 00:28:51,595 To have lost her best friend. 657 00:28:51,597 --> 00:28:55,199 She even asked me, "how could someone do this to skylar?" 658 00:28:55,201 --> 00:28:57,934 - Will the truth catch up to shelia eddy? 659 00:28:57,936 --> 00:29:01,338 - Shelia was cryin', and she kept askin' her mother, 660 00:29:01,340 --> 00:29:03,474 "is-is everything gonna be okay?" 661 00:29:03,476 --> 00:29:05,743 And then her mother-- "I don't know, shelia." 662 00:29:05,745 --> 00:29:09,313 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 663 00:29:13,618 --> 00:29:21,324 ♪♪ 664 00:29:21,326 --> 00:29:23,360 - Corporal ronnie gaskins was on a mission 665 00:29:23,362 --> 00:29:25,829 To put two girls behind bars. 666 00:29:25,831 --> 00:29:28,832 - It was one of those where you couldn't get there fast enough. 667 00:29:28,834 --> 00:29:31,501 - Rachel shoaf had just confessed to teaming up 668 00:29:31,503 --> 00:29:34,438 With shelia eddy to kill their friend skylar neese. 669 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:37,240 Now she was cooperating with police. 670 00:29:37,242 --> 00:29:41,211 Gaskins and his fellow investigators hatched a plan. 671 00:29:41,213 --> 00:29:43,980 Rachel would invite shelia to her house. 672 00:29:43,982 --> 00:29:45,649 As hidden cameras rolled, 673 00:29:45,651 --> 00:29:48,819 She would try to get shelia to incriminate herself. 674 00:29:48,821 --> 00:29:52,189 - We were close by in case something happened. 675 00:29:52,191 --> 00:29:53,924 - Shelia did come over. 676 00:29:53,926 --> 00:29:57,327 The police didn't record anything to pin shelia to the crime. 677 00:29:57,329 --> 00:30:00,730 - The girls did not disclose anything specific. 678 00:30:00,732 --> 00:30:03,667 They were just very casual. 679 00:30:03,669 --> 00:30:06,269 - A few days later the police went to shelia's house 680 00:30:06,271 --> 00:30:08,038 With a warrant. 681 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:10,140 - We seized every kitchen knife we could find, 682 00:30:10,142 --> 00:30:13,109 And then the fbi seized shelia's car 683 00:30:13,111 --> 00:30:17,247 And they were able to find, uh, presence of dna in the trunk. 684 00:30:17,249 --> 00:30:20,016 - Dna in shelia's trunk. 685 00:30:20,018 --> 00:30:22,619 If it proved to be skylar's it would be critical 686 00:30:22,621 --> 00:30:25,289 To gaskins's case, a direct link 687 00:30:25,291 --> 00:30:28,058 Connecting the girls to skylar's death. 688 00:30:28,060 --> 00:30:31,829 They shipped a sample off to the lab and waited. 689 00:30:31,831 --> 00:30:33,964 Meanwhile, gaskins got a positive id 690 00:30:33,966 --> 00:30:36,900 On the human remains found out past blacksville. 691 00:30:36,902 --> 00:30:39,036 It was skylar. 692 00:30:39,038 --> 00:30:41,972 - The search for monongalia county teenager 693 00:30:41,974 --> 00:30:45,408 Skylar neese is over. 694 00:30:45,410 --> 00:30:48,211 - At university high school, confirmation that skylar 695 00:30:48,213 --> 00:30:51,681 Had been found dead was heartbreaking. 696 00:30:51,683 --> 00:30:52,916 - I was devastated. 697 00:30:52,918 --> 00:30:55,853 It was... 698 00:30:55,855 --> 00:30:57,153 It was crazy. 699 00:30:57,155 --> 00:30:59,056 - Shania called her friend shelia as soon 700 00:30:59,058 --> 00:31:01,191 As she heard the awful news. 701 00:31:01,193 --> 00:31:03,193 - I was crying, she was crying. 702 00:31:03,195 --> 00:31:05,729 - There was shelia, suspected murderer, 703 00:31:05,731 --> 00:31:07,731 Crying tears for skylar. 704 00:31:07,733 --> 00:31:10,800 - And she's like, "who do you think could've done this? 705 00:31:10,802 --> 00:31:14,137 Why would somebody do that to skylar?" 706 00:31:14,139 --> 00:31:17,007 - Shelia also cried with her friend crissy swanson. 707 00:31:17,009 --> 00:31:20,343 - And once skylar's body was found, 708 00:31:20,345 --> 00:31:23,280 Shelia seemed like she was so upset 709 00:31:23,282 --> 00:31:24,815 To have lost her best friend. 710 00:31:24,817 --> 00:31:25,682 She couldn't believe that 711 00:31:25,684 --> 00:31:27,317 Something like this would happen. 712 00:31:27,319 --> 00:31:32,155 She even asked me, "how could someone do this to skylar?" 713 00:31:32,157 --> 00:31:35,492 - And shelia let everybody know how sad she was. 714 00:31:35,494 --> 00:31:38,895 She tweeted things like, "worst day of my whole life," 715 00:31:38,897 --> 00:31:42,766 "the pain is real," and, "rest easy, skylar. 716 00:31:42,768 --> 00:31:44,835 You'll always be my best friend. 717 00:31:44,837 --> 00:31:47,504 I miss you more than you could ever know." 718 00:31:47,506 --> 00:31:50,140 But social media revealed two sides to shelia. 719 00:31:50,142 --> 00:31:53,643 She could mourn skylar, but on twitter and facebook 720 00:31:53,645 --> 00:31:56,379 She and rachel also seemed carefree. 721 00:31:56,381 --> 00:31:58,982 As the police continued their investigation, 722 00:31:58,984 --> 00:32:02,652 Rachel tweeted, "I need a mimosa... Or ten." 723 00:32:02,654 --> 00:32:04,654 They were going about their lives, 724 00:32:04,656 --> 00:32:06,957 Even while the police believed the girls 725 00:32:06,959 --> 00:32:09,225 Were stone-cold killers. 726 00:32:09,227 --> 00:32:12,996 - The locals would whisper in each other's ears and say, 727 00:32:12,998 --> 00:32:15,799 "how are they still free?" 728 00:32:15,801 --> 00:32:19,235 - Cole bartiromo runs a blog called newsball.Com. 729 00:32:19,237 --> 00:32:21,604 Early on he started following this case 730 00:32:21,606 --> 00:32:23,807 And was struck by shelia's tweets-- 731 00:32:23,809 --> 00:32:27,544 Things like, "ain't no rest for the wicked," and incredibly, 732 00:32:27,546 --> 00:32:29,612 This apparent reference to that countdown 733 00:32:29,614 --> 00:32:33,417 To skylar's murder: "we really did go on three." 734 00:32:33,419 --> 00:32:38,688 - But it's unbelievable that she feels she's so invincible 735 00:32:38,690 --> 00:32:42,625 To-to tweet this publicly. 736 00:32:42,627 --> 00:32:46,029 - And then finally, by mid-April 2013, 737 00:32:46,031 --> 00:32:48,498 Ronnie gaskins got the one critical piece 738 00:32:48,500 --> 00:32:49,933 Of evidence he needed: 739 00:32:49,935 --> 00:32:52,302 Confirmation that skylar's blood had been found 740 00:32:52,304 --> 00:32:54,070 In shelia's trunk. 741 00:32:54,072 --> 00:32:55,305 - On top of the video surveillance, 742 00:32:55,307 --> 00:32:57,640 The phone records, rachel's statement, 743 00:32:57,642 --> 00:33:00,777 At that point we felt confident we had the probable cause 744 00:33:00,779 --> 00:33:02,912 To make the arrest. 745 00:33:02,914 --> 00:33:05,315 - Now authorities told skylar's parents 746 00:33:05,317 --> 00:33:06,616 The whole story. 747 00:33:06,618 --> 00:33:11,855 Their daughter's two best friends had killed her. 748 00:33:11,857 --> 00:33:13,923 - It, like, has to turn away. 749 00:33:13,925 --> 00:33:15,592 - I think about it every day. 750 00:33:15,594 --> 00:33:18,628 I think about the misery my child must've been through. 751 00:33:18,630 --> 00:33:20,864 And I'm helpless. 752 00:33:20,866 --> 00:33:22,232 I can't help her. 753 00:33:22,234 --> 00:33:26,269 She's callin' out, "help me," you know, "why, why, why?" 754 00:33:26,271 --> 00:33:27,971 - Animals got her. 755 00:33:27,973 --> 00:33:29,839 They didn't even care. 756 00:33:29,841 --> 00:33:32,809 - Nope, they just threw her out like a bag of trash. 757 00:33:32,811 --> 00:33:37,180 - On may 1, 2013 in exchange for her cooperation with police, 758 00:33:37,182 --> 00:33:41,284 Rachel shoaf pleaded guilty to second degree murder. 759 00:33:41,286 --> 00:33:44,954 Within minutes, gaskins raced across morgantown, 760 00:33:44,956 --> 00:33:46,823 His heart pounding. 761 00:33:46,825 --> 00:33:48,358 - Obviously we were goin' lights and siren, 762 00:33:48,360 --> 00:33:50,027 'cause we had a murder warrant to serve. 763 00:33:50,029 --> 00:33:52,362 - Shelia was arrested and charged 764 00:33:52,364 --> 00:33:54,564 With first degree murder in the parking lot 765 00:33:54,566 --> 00:33:56,933 Of the local cracker barrel restaurant 766 00:33:56,935 --> 00:33:59,502 Where she and her mom were having lunch. 767 00:33:59,504 --> 00:34:02,505 - Shelia was cryin', and she kept askin' her mother, 768 00:34:02,507 --> 00:34:03,973 "is-is everything gonna be okay?" 769 00:34:03,975 --> 00:34:07,210 And then her mother just-- "I don't know, shelia." 770 00:34:07,212 --> 00:34:08,945 - Gaskins had promised skylar's parents 771 00:34:08,947 --> 00:34:11,714 He wouldn't quit until the case was solved. 772 00:34:11,716 --> 00:34:14,985 - It felt good for once that she was comin' with us. 773 00:34:14,987 --> 00:34:17,454 - The question of who had been answered, 774 00:34:17,456 --> 00:34:20,724 But people were haunted by an unanswered question: 775 00:34:20,726 --> 00:34:24,461 Skylar's last word, "why?" 776 00:34:24,463 --> 00:34:26,196 - Coming up. 777 00:34:26,198 --> 00:34:27,397 - I became caught up in something 778 00:34:27,399 --> 00:34:28,865 That I did not want to do. 779 00:34:28,867 --> 00:34:31,067 - The accused killers head to court, 780 00:34:31,069 --> 00:34:35,005 Where they come face to face with skylar's family. 781 00:34:35,007 --> 00:34:37,407 - She has done nothing but make our lives a living hell 782 00:34:37,409 --> 00:34:39,275 Since this day one. 783 00:34:39,277 --> 00:34:41,278 - And the motive for murder. 784 00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:46,282 - They planned that crime for days, weeks, months. 785 00:34:46,284 --> 00:34:48,085 - What could that be? 786 00:34:48,087 --> 00:34:50,453 - I think that's somethin' for rachel and shelia to say. 787 00:34:50,455 --> 00:34:52,722 They know the answers to that. 788 00:34:52,724 --> 00:34:55,392 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 789 00:35:04,770 --> 00:35:05,969 - Welcome back. 790 00:35:05,971 --> 00:35:08,972 Rachel shoaf pleaded guilty to killing skylar neese, 791 00:35:08,974 --> 00:35:12,109 A girl she once called her best friend. 792 00:35:12,111 --> 00:35:15,979 As rachel's other best friend shelia headed to court, 793 00:35:15,981 --> 00:35:19,850 One aspect of the case remained an open question: 794 00:35:19,852 --> 00:35:20,984 Motive. 795 00:35:20,986 --> 00:35:24,187 Police believed they knew the who, what, where, 796 00:35:24,189 --> 00:35:29,926 And when, but why skylar had to die remained elusive. 797 00:35:29,928 --> 00:35:32,862 Here's andrea canning with the conclusion 798 00:35:32,864 --> 00:35:35,031 Of "something wicked." 799 00:35:36,935 --> 00:35:40,003 - Shelia eddy was not about to give in without a fight. 800 00:35:40,005 --> 00:35:42,672 There she was in September 2013, 801 00:35:42,674 --> 00:35:45,842 A lone blonde teen in a crowd of accused men 802 00:35:45,844 --> 00:35:48,278 Pleading not guilty to the kidnapping 803 00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:50,380 And murder of skylar neese. 804 00:35:50,382 --> 00:35:53,416 This was terrible news for skylar's parents. 805 00:35:53,418 --> 00:35:54,951 - I don't wanna go through a trial and hear 806 00:35:54,953 --> 00:35:57,587 The grisly, gruesome details of all this. 807 00:35:57,589 --> 00:35:59,890 That would tear me apart. 808 00:35:59,892 --> 00:36:01,091 - With a trial looming, 809 00:36:01,093 --> 00:36:04,427 The question on everyone's mind was why. 810 00:36:04,429 --> 00:36:07,096 Investigators wanted to know, too, and in the halls 811 00:36:07,098 --> 00:36:10,834 Of university high, they got glimpses of a motive, 812 00:36:10,836 --> 00:36:14,304 Saw snapshots of a troubled three-way friendship. 813 00:36:14,306 --> 00:36:18,174 Morgan lawrence saw a disturbing dynamic firsthand. 814 00:36:18,176 --> 00:36:20,543 - I was not a huge fan of rachel and shelia. 815 00:36:20,545 --> 00:36:23,846 - As far back his freshman year, morgan had worried 816 00:36:23,848 --> 00:36:26,382 That her friend skylar was heading into a place 817 00:36:26,384 --> 00:36:29,252 She might not belong when she became close friends 818 00:36:29,254 --> 00:36:31,187 With rachel and shelia. 819 00:36:31,189 --> 00:36:33,723 Morgan especially didn't like shelia. 820 00:36:33,725 --> 00:36:35,125 - She hung out with the wrong crowd. 821 00:36:35,127 --> 00:36:37,660 She had lots of friends that were 20-some years old. 822 00:36:37,662 --> 00:36:39,529 That's just a little strange. 823 00:36:39,531 --> 00:36:41,631 - Morgan says she'd watched, uneasy, 824 00:36:41,633 --> 00:36:44,400 As the three girls became inseparable. 825 00:36:44,402 --> 00:36:46,970 Skylar's cousin kyle adored skylar 826 00:36:46,972 --> 00:36:48,605 And says he felt uneasy, too. 827 00:36:48,607 --> 00:36:49,806 - You'd walk through the halls, 828 00:36:49,808 --> 00:36:51,274 You don't see one without the other. 829 00:36:51,276 --> 00:36:54,344 It's always shelia, skylar, rachel, always together. 830 00:36:54,346 --> 00:36:57,747 - By sophomore year, he saw changes in skylar. 831 00:36:57,749 --> 00:37:00,016 - It seemed like about that time, 832 00:37:00,018 --> 00:37:04,687 She didn't have that same nice quality to her. 833 00:37:04,689 --> 00:37:08,091 - She was more sour, I think, toward people. 834 00:37:08,093 --> 00:37:11,361 She started almost acting the way that shelia acted. 835 00:37:11,363 --> 00:37:13,363 - Must have been hard to see her changing. 836 00:37:13,365 --> 00:37:15,365 - It's difficult to watch it in general, 837 00:37:15,367 --> 00:37:17,900 And it's even harder whenever it's someone as close as, 838 00:37:17,902 --> 00:37:19,802 You know, someone that you called your family. 839 00:37:19,804 --> 00:37:22,205 - Students told writers geoff fuller 840 00:37:22,207 --> 00:37:24,607 And daleen berry that by mid-sophomore year 841 00:37:24,609 --> 00:37:27,844 The three girls' relationship had begun to deteriorate. 842 00:37:27,846 --> 00:37:29,846 They've written about this in their book, 843 00:37:29,848 --> 00:37:32,582 "the savage murder of skylar neese." 844 00:37:32,584 --> 00:37:34,651 - Shelia and rachel were dissing skylar 845 00:37:34,653 --> 00:37:37,454 When-when she wasn't around, and putting her down, 846 00:37:37,456 --> 00:37:38,655 And that kind of thing. 847 00:37:38,657 --> 00:37:40,924 So-so it was kind of a two-faced situation. 848 00:37:40,926 --> 00:37:41,958 - Yeah. 849 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:43,326 - Students say that around this time, 850 00:37:43,328 --> 00:37:45,795 They started hearing rachel and shelia discuss 851 00:37:45,797 --> 00:37:47,664 The best way to kill someone, 852 00:37:47,666 --> 00:37:50,500 And rachel's friend fantasia liller recalls 853 00:37:50,502 --> 00:37:52,402 A chilling conversation. 854 00:37:52,404 --> 00:37:54,370 - Rachel was ranting to me how much 855 00:37:54,372 --> 00:37:55,838 She didn't like skylar one day. 856 00:37:55,840 --> 00:37:58,274 What she said, word for word, I'm pretty sure, was, 857 00:37:58,276 --> 00:38:01,878 "I wouldn't mind if she died at this point." 858 00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:03,313 - Which makes this cell phone video 859 00:38:03,315 --> 00:38:04,647 All the more haunting, 860 00:38:04,649 --> 00:38:06,516 Because it was captured by skylar 861 00:38:06,518 --> 00:38:08,918 Six months before she was killed. 862 00:38:08,920 --> 00:38:10,286 - You said it two times. 863 00:38:10,288 --> 00:38:13,756 - Shelia asks skylar and rachel to choose the best way to die. 864 00:38:13,758 --> 00:38:16,125 - Would you guys rather suffocate or get shot? 865 00:38:16,127 --> 00:38:18,361 - Get shot. - Shot. 866 00:38:18,363 --> 00:38:20,363 Is-- wait, it depends on where. 867 00:38:20,365 --> 00:38:22,299 - Would you rather-- in the head. 868 00:38:22,301 --> 00:38:23,433 - Shot. - Shot. 869 00:38:23,435 --> 00:38:24,701 - There'd be no suffering at all. 870 00:38:24,703 --> 00:38:26,536 - Drowning or suffocating? 871 00:38:26,538 --> 00:38:27,870 - Suffocating. - Suffocating. 872 00:38:27,872 --> 00:38:28,972 - It's almost the same thing. 873 00:38:28,974 --> 00:38:29,872 - I know, but-- 874 00:38:29,874 --> 00:38:31,641 - An incredibly disturbing scene. 875 00:38:31,643 --> 00:38:33,743 Friends told investigators that in the months 876 00:38:33,745 --> 00:38:34,911 Before skylar's death, 877 00:38:34,913 --> 00:38:37,847 She and shelia fought constantly. 878 00:38:37,849 --> 00:38:40,750 Late on July 5th, skylar tweeted this. 879 00:38:45,490 --> 00:38:48,124 Later that night, skylar is seen here 880 00:38:48,126 --> 00:38:50,460 On that surveillance tape driving away from home 881 00:38:50,462 --> 00:38:52,295 For the last time. 882 00:38:52,297 --> 00:38:54,130 What were they fighting about? 883 00:38:54,132 --> 00:38:55,665 There's a possible answer: 884 00:38:55,667 --> 00:38:58,034 Hallway whispers that rachel and shelia 885 00:38:58,036 --> 00:39:00,303 Had developed a sexual relationship, 886 00:39:00,305 --> 00:39:02,739 And that skylar knew and threatened to out them. 887 00:39:02,741 --> 00:39:05,275 Did they kill her to keep their secret? 888 00:39:05,277 --> 00:39:08,811 It's as close to a motive as anyone can come up with. 889 00:39:08,813 --> 00:39:11,147 Do you think we'll ever know why this happened? 890 00:39:11,149 --> 00:39:14,751 - I think that's somethin' for rachel and shelia to say. 891 00:39:14,753 --> 00:39:17,020 They know the answers to that. 892 00:39:17,022 --> 00:39:20,490 - In January 2014, dave and mary finally got 893 00:39:20,492 --> 00:39:23,493 The news they'd been hoping for: A plea deal. 894 00:39:23,495 --> 00:39:26,462 - Shelia eddy, how do you plead to the offense of murder 895 00:39:26,464 --> 00:39:28,364 In the first degree of the felony charged 896 00:39:28,366 --> 00:39:31,634 In count three of the indictment in this case? 897 00:39:31,636 --> 00:39:33,035 - Guilty. 898 00:39:33,037 --> 00:39:35,037 - Shelia's attorney michael benninger 899 00:39:35,039 --> 00:39:37,407 Read a statement from shelia and her family. 900 00:39:37,409 --> 00:39:41,544 My client and her family recognize that the neese family 901 00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:45,048 Is in a constant state of despair, loneliness 902 00:39:45,050 --> 00:39:48,585 And sadness as a result of skylar's death. 903 00:39:50,922 --> 00:39:53,156 - Shelia was sentenced to life in prison 904 00:39:53,158 --> 00:39:56,626 And is eligible for parole in 2028. 905 00:39:56,628 --> 00:39:59,962 A month later, dave and mary went back to court, 906 00:39:59,964 --> 00:40:02,932 This time for rachel shoaf's sentencing. 907 00:40:02,934 --> 00:40:06,769 - Rachel has a profound sadness at this loss, 908 00:40:06,771 --> 00:40:10,273 And a profound sadness for mr. And mrs. Neese. 909 00:40:10,275 --> 00:40:13,042 - Therapist patricia bailey was hired by rachel's family 910 00:40:13,044 --> 00:40:15,211 To meet with rachel in prison. 911 00:40:15,213 --> 00:40:18,781 - From the day I met rachel, she has said to me, 912 00:40:18,783 --> 00:40:21,084 "I deserve to be in here. 913 00:40:21,086 --> 00:40:24,020 I did something terribly wrong. 914 00:40:24,022 --> 00:40:26,489 I hurt somebody." 915 00:40:26,491 --> 00:40:28,925 Rachel does miss skylar, very much so. 916 00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:30,927 And then she also weeps for her 917 00:40:30,929 --> 00:40:33,329 Because she knows that she cannot undo the past, 918 00:40:33,331 --> 00:40:36,299 And that she will never see her again. 919 00:40:36,301 --> 00:40:40,002 - In court rachel apologized directly to dave and mary. 920 00:40:40,004 --> 00:40:41,370 - I don't know if there's a proper way 921 00:40:41,372 --> 00:40:42,839 To make this apology 922 00:40:42,841 --> 00:40:44,273 Because there are not even words 923 00:40:44,275 --> 00:40:46,809 To describe the guilt and remorse that I feel 924 00:40:46,811 --> 00:40:48,444 Each day for what I've done. 925 00:40:48,446 --> 00:40:49,912 I became scared and caught up in something 926 00:40:49,914 --> 00:40:51,481 That I did not want to do. 927 00:40:51,483 --> 00:40:53,783 I never realized the gravity of my actions 928 00:40:53,785 --> 00:40:55,885 And how many people I've hurt. 929 00:40:55,887 --> 00:40:58,654 - Skylar's dad, who had once defended the girls, 930 00:40:58,656 --> 00:41:00,256 Didn't mince words. 931 00:41:00,258 --> 00:41:02,024 - Yes, rachel shoad did cooperate. 932 00:41:02,026 --> 00:41:04,194 And rachel shoaf also murdered my daughter 933 00:41:04,196 --> 00:41:05,728 In cold blood. 934 00:41:05,730 --> 00:41:08,064 She can take her apologies and everything else 935 00:41:08,066 --> 00:41:09,765 And sit on 'em, because that's about 936 00:41:09,767 --> 00:41:12,602 What they're worth to me and my wife. 937 00:41:12,604 --> 00:41:15,538 She has done nothing but make our lives a living hell 938 00:41:15,540 --> 00:41:18,975 Since this day one. 939 00:41:18,977 --> 00:41:20,610 - Dave and mary wish they'd known more 940 00:41:20,612 --> 00:41:22,345 About what was going on in skylar's life 941 00:41:22,347 --> 00:41:24,814 In the months before she died. 942 00:41:24,816 --> 00:41:27,550 What is your biggest regret, if you have one? 943 00:41:27,552 --> 00:41:30,553 - Not knowing the girls better, you know. 944 00:41:30,555 --> 00:41:33,890 And I don't know if anyone could have known 'em that well. 945 00:41:33,892 --> 00:41:36,359 There had to be a sign somewhere. 946 00:41:36,361 --> 00:41:38,227 There had to be a clue. 947 00:41:38,229 --> 00:41:39,896 - Rachel shoaf, would you please stand. 948 00:41:39,898 --> 00:41:41,898 - Rachel was sentenced to 30 years in prison. 949 00:41:41,900 --> 00:41:45,801 She will be eligible for parole in 2023. 950 00:41:45,803 --> 00:41:48,771 Prosecutor marcia ashdown says, "don't be fooled 951 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:50,506 By the girls' appearance." 952 00:41:50,508 --> 00:41:55,411 - They planned that crime not just for hours, 953 00:41:55,413 --> 00:41:58,514 But days, weeks, months. 954 00:41:58,516 --> 00:42:02,585 The horror of that really is what strikes us in the end, 955 00:42:02,587 --> 00:42:05,788 Not how those girls look in shackles. 956 00:42:05,790 --> 00:42:07,456 - Young, old. 957 00:42:07,458 --> 00:42:09,325 Attractive, unattractive. 958 00:42:09,327 --> 00:42:10,793 Male, female. Doesn't matter. 959 00:42:10,795 --> 00:42:14,931 Evil comes in all shapes and sizes. 960 00:42:14,933 --> 00:42:18,401 - These days around morgantown there's lingering damage. 961 00:42:18,403 --> 00:42:22,138 Teenagers who feel they'll never trust anyone again. 962 00:42:22,140 --> 00:42:23,940 - After I had heard all that, I didn't really want 963 00:42:23,942 --> 00:42:27,209 To become friends with anybody else. 964 00:42:27,211 --> 00:42:28,778 - It's like finding out your little sister 965 00:42:28,780 --> 00:42:30,546 Was a murderer. 966 00:42:30,548 --> 00:42:32,648 - I still to this day have trust issues. 967 00:42:32,650 --> 00:42:34,684 - Skylar's friend morgan lawrence says 968 00:42:34,686 --> 00:42:36,786 She thinks about all the milestones 969 00:42:36,788 --> 00:42:39,422 She and skylar had planned to mark together. 970 00:42:39,424 --> 00:42:43,492 You two should be doing everything alongside each other. 971 00:42:43,494 --> 00:42:47,163 - Yeah, they didn't just, you know, take away a bride, 972 00:42:47,165 --> 00:42:48,898 They took away a bridesmaid. 973 00:42:48,900 --> 00:42:51,834 - Skylar's second parents say they'll miss out, too. 974 00:42:51,836 --> 00:42:54,003 When morgan walks down the aisle... 975 00:42:54,005 --> 00:42:56,706 - Yes. - Skylar won't be there. 976 00:42:56,708 --> 00:43:00,142 - She will be. 977 00:43:00,144 --> 00:43:03,579 - She'll be watching over? - She will. 978 00:43:03,581 --> 00:43:07,249 - In June 2013, dave and mary had a memorial service 979 00:43:07,251 --> 00:43:09,785 At the site where skylar was killed. 980 00:43:09,787 --> 00:43:12,322 And they're proud to have helped pass skylar's law, 981 00:43:12,324 --> 00:43:15,525 Which requires amber alerts even when police suspect 982 00:43:15,527 --> 00:43:18,794 A teen has run away. 983 00:43:18,796 --> 00:43:20,663 It's peaceful here now. 984 00:43:20,665 --> 00:43:23,132 They come here often, even in the winter, 985 00:43:23,134 --> 00:43:27,069 To tend the small garden they've built for skylar. 986 00:43:27,071 --> 00:43:30,573 Mary, how do you want skylar to be remembered? 987 00:43:30,575 --> 00:43:33,409 - The happy, loving little girl that she was. 988 00:43:33,411 --> 00:43:36,346 - And, uh, the smile. 989 00:43:36,348 --> 00:43:39,115 That smile could light up a room. 990 00:43:41,419 --> 00:43:42,351 - That's all for this edition 991 00:43:42,353 --> 00:43:44,754 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 992 00:43:44,756 --> 00:43:47,256 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.