A new three-part true crime documentary, Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese, dives into the 2012 killing of a 16-year-old straight-A student from West Virginia. The series, available on Disney+ in the UK and Hulu internationally starting March 6, examines the search efforts, family heartbreak, and shocking betrayal that unfolded.
The Disappearance
On July 6, 2012, Skylar Neese sneaked out of her family’s apartment in Star City, West Virginia, around midnight. Surveillance footage captured her voluntarily entering a car driven by one of her best friends. She vanished without a trace, sparking a frantic search by her parents, school friends, and law enforcement.
The Investigation Unravels
By January 2013, searchers discovered Skylar’s body. Investigators uncovered that her closest friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, had stabbed her more than 50 times. The pair confessed to the murder, citing a falling out as their motive, then resumed normal lives as if nothing occurred.
Dave Neese, Skylar’s father, recounted instructing detectives to ease pressure on Eddy, whom the family viewed as “like family.” Social media posts hinted at tensions among the trio in the months prior, though the platform was less advanced at the time.
Sentences and Aftermath
Rachel Shoaf pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 30-year sentence. Shelia Eddy pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, earning life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 15 years.
The series features insights from Skylar’s parents, schoolmates, and detectives, revealing the tangled web of secrets and the emotional toll on the family.
Documentary Highlights
Produced by Dorothy St. Pictures, the docuseries details the exhaustive probe, including delays in reviewing nearby CCTV footage that identified Eddy’s vehicle. Dave Neese’s court statement to the perpetrators underscores the profound grief endured by the family.
