Forever 16 | Chapter 9

Summary

Podcast Summary: Three – "Forever 16" | Chapter 9

Introduction

In Chapter 9 of Wavland’s gripping 10-part series Three, titled "Forever 16," listeners delve deeper into the haunting case of Skylar Neese, a 16-year-old whose life was brutally taken by her two closest friends, Rachel Shoaf and Sheila Eddy. Released on April 5, 2024, this episode explores the enduring pain of Skylar’s family, the ongoing legal battles, and the profound impact on the Morgantown community ten years after the tragedy.

Parole Hearing: A Heart-Wrenching Stand

The episode opens with a tense recounting of Rachel Shoaf’s parole hearing. Normally, victims’ families are present physically, but due to the pandemic, Dave and Mary Neese had to join remotely. Rachel appeared before the parole board, attempting to present her case for release.

Dave Neese passionately opposed her parole:

“This inmate has proven that she is evil and mentally unstable... This inmate is a rat who got a deal. That's the only thing that saved her from first degree murder charges.” (04:02)

Despite Rachel’s father, Rusty Shoaf, advocating for her rehabilitation, Dave's raw anger and heartfelt pleas highlighted the immense suffering endured by Skylar’s family. The parole board ultimately decided not to grant Rachel parole, a decision that only deepened the family's anguish.

Dave and Mary Neese: Living with Unending Grief

Dave and Mary Neese’s journey through grief is poignantly portrayed. Ten years after Skylar’s murder, they continue to honor her memory through public talks aimed at preventing similar tragedies. Dave reflects on the constant presence of his daughter in his life:

“Skylar will forever be 16. It's the worst thing I've ever heard. But it's so true... Nobody does anything to deserve something like that.” (23:42)

Mary’s unwavering stance against parole exemplifies their commitment to justice and remembrance. Their emotional testimonies convey the depth of their loss and the enduring impact of Skylar’s absence.

Community Impact: Morgantown’s Lingering Trauma

The murder profoundly affected Morgantown, a close-knit community struggling to reconcile how three beautiful girls could commit such violence.

Chief of Police Jessica Kolbank observes:

“You could be the most facially beautiful person with the most destructive demonic soul. ... That's how these girls were.” (17:17)

Residents like Kelly Kearns and Kim Keener chose to relocate, seeking distance from the painful memories. The episode captures the collective trauma, illustrating how the case shattered the town’s sense of safety and trust.

The Complex Relationship Between Rachel and Sheila

A significant portion of the episode examines the toxic dynamic between Rachel Shoaf and Sheila Eddy. Their romantic involvement and escalating animosity culminated in Skylar’s murder.

Jessica Kolbank provides chilling insights:

“It's not everything isn't always as it seems. So I think that was the biggest shock for the community.” (17:17)

Holly Millay interviews individuals close to the case, revealing how their bond intensified to a destructive level, ultimately leading to betrayal and murder. The intimate nature of their relationship and the choice of stabbing as the method highlight the personal and brutal nature of the crime.

Unresolved Mysteries: Skylar’s Phone and Legacy

The episode touches on lingering questions, such as the significance of Skylar’s phone found at the crime scene. Despite being sealed and seemingly inaccessible, the phone remains a symbol of the unresolved aspects of the case.

Dave Neese reflects on the phone:

“She’d been rehabilitated and she was not a threat to any member of society.” (04:02)

Additionally, Dave shares heartfelt memories and signs of Skylar’s continued presence in his life, emphasizing that her spirit remains a guiding force for him and his family.

Forgiveness and Moving Forward

A recurring theme is the struggle between seeking justice and finding forgiveness. Dave and Mary’s unwavering refusal to forgive Rachel underscores the profound betrayal and the seemingly insurmountable pain caused by the loss of their daughter.

Dave Neese expresses:

“Skylar will be forever 16. It's the worst thing I've ever heard. But it's so true.” (23:42)

Their dedication to keeping Skylar’s memory alive through public speaking engagements serves as a beacon of resilience and a call to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Conclusion: A Community Still Healing

As the episode concludes, listeners are left with a vivid portrayal of a community still grappling with the aftermath of Skylar Neese’s murder. The enduring pain of the Neese family, the complex dynamics between the perpetrators, and the lasting scars on Morgantown paint a comprehensive picture of a tragedy that continues to resonate a decade later.

Justine Harmon reflects:

“It's 10 years later and we're still getting over because... the realism hits. Hey, we're not immune to what really is going on.” (16:08)

Notable Quotes Summary

• Dave Neese: “This inmate has proven that she is evil and mentally unstable...” (04:02)
• Chief Jessica Kolbank: “You could be the most facially beautiful person with the most destructive demonic soul.” (17:17)
• Dave Neese: “Skylar will forever be 16. It's the worst thing I've ever heard. But it's so true.” (23:42)
• Justine Harmon: “It's 10 years later and we're still getting over...” (16:08)

Final Thoughts

"Forever 16" offers a profound exploration of loss, betrayal, and the enduring quest for justice. Through intimate interviews, emotional testimonies, and expert insights, Wavland crafts a narrative that not only recounts a tragic event but also examines its lasting repercussions on individuals and a community. This episode stands as a testament to the series' ability to uncover the deeper layers of true crime stories, making it an essential listen for those seeking a thorough and empathetic understanding of such harrowing cases.

Transcript

[Ashley Flowers]

Hi, everyone. I'm Ashley Flowers.

[Britt]

And I'm Britt.

[Ashley Flowers]

And every Monday, we bring you a new episode of our number one true crime podcast, Crime Junkie, where we dive into all the gripping cases, from mysterious deaths to missing person cases to the headlines. Solved, unsolved, you name it.

[Britt]

And this year, we're bringing you Crime Junkie in a whole new way. Live on tour. That's right.

[Ashley Flowers]

We're hitting the road for a nationwide tour, traveling all over the country to bring you a seriously wild case for an in person investigative experience like you've never seen before.

[Britt]

We truly cannot wait to see you there. But tickets are selling fast, so don't wait.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, a couple of venues are already close to being sold out, so head to crimejunkiepodcast.com to grab your tickets before they're gone. That is crimejunkiepodcast.com we'll see you soon.

[Kinky Palmer]

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[Ashley Flowers]

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[Kinky Palmer]

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[Ashley Flowers]

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[Kinky Palmer]

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[Ashley Flowers]

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[Britt]

I've never seen a credit score this low.

[Ashley Flowers]

What if we combine our scores?

[Kinky Palmer]

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[Ashley Flowers]

First the rent and then Alomo's trying to kill us.

[Kinky Palmer]

SZA is having one of them days.

[Ashley Flowers]

He showing Cheat and Steel on the same day.

[Britt]

Alyssa, run.

[Holly Millay]

Damn.

[Kinky Palmer]

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[Britt]

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[Holly Millay]

This podcast is intended for mature audiences.

[Kinky Palmer]

Listener Discretion.

[Holly Millay]

Ten years after Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf took Skylar Neese's life, Rachel appeared before the parole board facing an audience of three. Normally, the victim's family is physically present at such an event, but due to the pandemic, Lakin patched the Nice family and friends into the hearing room over the phone. They couldn't see their daughter's killer in person, but they heard what she had to say for herself. After Rachel was finished, her father, Rusty Shoaf, spoke briefly, first acknowledging the niece's sorrow and their loss. He then went on to cite Rachel's prison education and religious faith and said if released, she would be loved and supported by her family. He closed, saying she'd been rehabilitated and she was not a threat to any member of society. Then the parole board offered Dave Neese a turn to speak. This time he accepted the opportunity. Through the phone, you could feel his raw pain and anger.

[Justine Harmon]

And you may go ahead and address the board at what you'd like for us to take consideration.

[Dave Neese]

Please.

[Mary Neese]

Ladies and gentlemen of the West Virginia Parole Board, thank you for the opportunity to tell you why this inmate should not be ran a parole because of the malicious monster, my child will never get a limo ride to her prom. Instead, she got a ride in a coroner's vehicle. Also, there was no sparkling gown for Skylar, just a body bag. She will never have a certificate of graduation, only a death certificate because of this inmate's actions. This cold blooded killer is not sorry for the brutal murder of my only child. It's my belief she's proud. She murdered my daughter in cold blood. The day after she plunged kitchen knives into my child, this devil was seen on a boat with a friend posing for photographs. The date of July 6, 2012 was chosen for a specific reason. You see, Ms. Soap wanted the killing out of the way before she left her church camp. Okay, just another task to mark off her list. Like standing over my child. And I do quote this saying, died as she took her last breath. Thank you for listening to me. I got a little bit more. I wasn't there to defend my baby girl from this diabolical killer on July 6, 2012. But I'm here today to do everything within my power to make sure she stays behind bars. This inmate has proven that she is evil and mentally unstable. No one can fix that kind of madness. I believe if she's paroled, she will kill again. Murder is a game to this inmate, ladies and gentlemen. This is insanity. This person has proved to be a narcissist and a dangerous person to society with no remorse in her soul. This inmate has destroyed so many lives when she murdered Skyler. This inmate is a rat who got a deal. That's the only thing that saved her from first degree murder charges. She has. She showed us where Skyler's body was. She's also the one that put her there. This vicious murderer sits here today asking for a second chance. Well, I want to ask you guys something. Where's Skyler's second chance? She doesn't get a second chance. Because of inmate soaps actions on July 6, 2012 an accident is when you bump into someone. An accident is when you step on someone's shoe. This was not an accident. Thank you.

[Justine Harmon]

At this time, the board's going to a different site and we're going to deliberate and we'll come back with our decision momentarily. So everyone please stand by. Off the record.

[Holly Millay]

From Waveland, I'm Holly Millay.

[Britt]

And I'm Justine harmon. This is three episode nine forever 16.

[Holly Millay]

Once you've made the decision to commit a murder, the very next question you ask yourself or your co conspirator is how. And while it's true to say Rachel and Sheila didn't have easy access to a gun, it's hard to believe they couldn't get their hands on one. Especially in West Virginia, which ranks third in household gun ownership and where gun laws are especially lax. Of all the different ways to kill someone, stabbing is the most intimate, even in the act itself. If you can imagine using a knife and attacking someone 10 times or 50.

[Jessica Kolbank]

It'S not our first inclination to stab someone. That's malicious intent. It's rage. It's just determination. And to me, you know, it's. It's definitely very personal to stab someone. You know, the sounds that you'll hear, everything about a stabbing, you can shoot someone from any distance and it doesn't really affect you. But being that close, they had to be covered in blood and everything else. That's not an easy thing to be around. And I think they enjoyed it. I think they reveled in it. Whenever they were doing it, they were very, very close, which they had been close. But I think this brought them even closer. You know, blood bond and all would be how I would describe it. They've killed together. You know, they're together forever. In that sense, they were the only two there. They planned it. And, you know, that bond, I think, scared Rachel more than it did Sheila. I think Sheila enjoyed it, that connection that they had. And I think that's the ultimate thing that made Rachel freak out was, ugh, I'm with this forever, and it's never going away.

[Holly Millay]

As the parole board deliberated over what they just heard back on our side of the call, tensions were high.

[Ashley Flowers]

Did you put your phone in?

[Dave Neese]

Yes, I did.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah.

[Britt]

She was an actress in school, and.

[Ashley Flowers]

She'S going to be an actress always as to describe. And that garbage about being so young and she didn't know better. Where'd she pull that one out of?

[Justine Harmon]

They're gonna make a decision real soon.

[Holly Millay]

I think at this point, Tom addressed me directly.

[Justine Harmon]

I don't know if you heard, but we're waiting right now. Several people didn't get to speak, but I think it was clear that the board members were excellent and got her to admit things she didn't admit during the hearing, which was that she did premeditate it. She knew it was going to happen. She knew where the knives were, and that is completely different than from before.

[Holly Millay]

Yeah, can you hear me if I talk?

[Justine Harmon]

Yes, now I can. Yeah.

[Ashley Flowers]

Okay.

[Holly Millay]

I know you're with Mary and Dave. How long will you be with them? Can I call you alone afterwards so that I can recap with you? Because I didn't get a lot of the audio.

[Justine Harmon]

Okay, yeah, that'll be fine. We're just waiting. Let's wait for the ending.

[Kinky Palmer]

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[Ashley Flowers]

Your boyfriend took our money in, Dicks.

[Kinky Palmer]

From producer Issa Rae.

[Ashley Flowers]

How we gonna make $1,500 by 6? You bought this okay.

[Kinky Palmer]

On January.

[Ashley Flowers]

You want alone?

[Justine Harmon]

Don't do it.

[Ashley Flowers]

I've never seen a credit score this low. What if we combine our scores?

[Kinky Palmer]

Kinky Palmer is having one of them days.

[Ashley Flowers]

First the rent, and then our lomo's trying to kill us.

[Kinky Palmer]

Sza is having one of them days.

[Ashley Flowers]

He showing cheat and steal on the same day.

[Britt]

Alyssa, run.

[Holly Millay]

Damn.

[Kinky Palmer]

One of Them Days Directed by Lawrence Lamont. Exclusively in theaters January 17th. Rated R117.9aminute without parent.

[Holly Millay]

After just a few minutes, the three members of the parole board had reached a decision.

[Justine Harmon]

We're back on the record. All right, Ms. Shoaff, the board has deliberated, and at this time, the board is not ready to grant you parole at this time. We will see you again in May of 2024. At that time, hopefully no more write ups or no write ups at all. Just like you keep doing what you're doing and maybe you have a better decision at that time. You will get a decision at this hearing sent to you as soon as it's completed, ma'am. Any. Any questions?

[Holly Millay]

No, sir.

[Mary Neese]

Just thank you for your time.

[Justine Harmon]

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Good luck. Off the record. Okay, as you heard, it was denied.

[Holly Millay]

Right after Tom called me back and we spoke about what had just happened.

[Justine Harmon]

The headline should be a life sentence for the niece family. Yeah, and that's how I looked at it. And she was trying to get off, but they were stuck with this life sentence. And that is why, you know, when they asked me, well, why are you still here? And I said, you know, I want to be very supportive of Dave. I knew. I knew the three girls. I knew Dave. But as the closer we got and as things developed, we formed the bond ship that as a parent who had a daughter, I could only imagine, you know, no, I can't even imagine. But, you know, that that is how I approached it, as if it was my daughter. And we've become very, very close, Dave.

[Holly Millay]

Mary and I. Dave's younger brother, Michael, who spoke so lovingly about his niece Skylar at Rachel's sentencing, committed suicide in 2021. There's no doubt her murder played a part in his decision to end his own life. I asked Tom why this wasn't mentioned in Dave's statement to the parole board.

[Justine Harmon]

They talked to me about it, and Mary decided she did not want to.

[Ashley Flowers]

Add that to it.

[Justine Harmon]

I said the day of marriage that I don't want her to think that because of her actions, she still has control. You can't let her see or know anything about that because that is the final straw of what they want.

[Ashley Flowers]

Right.

[Justine Harmon]

Because then they still are controlling the situation and controlling you.

[Britt]

Rachel Shoaf came up for her first parole hearing. The parole board deciding no parole for her. Shoaff said at the hearing today, she and the other defendant in the case had a romantic relationship.

[Holly Millay]

There was some fighting among the three.

[Britt]

Friends that Skyler had threatened to expose their relationship.

[Holly Millay]

Rachel was despondent after the decision. Stormy heard from her friend still in Laken.

[Ashley Flowers]

She was so distraught that she didn't make parole that she didn't come out of her room all that day. She didn't call her mom, call her dad. She didn't call her a brother. She didn't call nobody. She stayed in her room that whole day. Didn't nobody talk to her. She didn't eat that whole day. You know, whatever she said that it, it shocked her hearing David, Mary's voice after so long. Mind you, though, we're allowed to watch snapped Dateline. Anything we want to watch. Anytime they're on it, we're allowed to watch it. You've heard Dave and Mary's voice on that. You've heard them say how you've messed her life up. But for you to hear it in real life is a different story.

[Holly Millay]

Rachel Shoaf will be eligible again every year up until her Release date of 2028, the same date Sheila Eddy will be up for her first parole hearing.

[Britt]

Ten years after finding out that Skylar Neese was murdered by her two best friends, Morgantown is still trying to heal from the violence, the betrayal that destroyed the trust in a small town. The crime looms large here. At one point during our reporting, we wandered into the historic old Stonehouse gift shop on Chestnut Street. When we mentioned why we were in town, the volunteer shopkeep's face changed. The store went cold. It was time to leave.

[Justine Harmon]

I don't say we never got over it.

[Holly Millay]

We're slow.

[Justine Harmon]

It's 10 years later and we're still getting over because when it comes up, for example, the 10 year anniversary came up. Rachel was up for parole and it brought back all the feelings. I mean, thousands of of people sign this petition. It's like they still don't want to be. They don't want it to come back in their community. The community was so that happens in Philadelphia. That happens in California. That happens in New York City. Not here. Not in, you know, lovely University High school or Morgantown High School. How could something like this happen and turn on each other and turn and no one see it. And this, I'll call it the cancer that's in the other big cities is now here. So now the realism hits. Hey, we're not immune to what really is going on.

[Britt]

Star City Chief of Police Jessica Kolbank agrees and adds another chilling observation. Locals have been Forced to accept, I.

[Jessica Kolbank]

Think, society around here in the community. They were shocked that this could happen here for one, and that these girls could do that because they're such pretty girls is what we kept hearing. You could be the most facially beautiful person with the most destructive demonic soul. And to me, that's how these girls were. It's not everything isn't always as it seems. So I think that was the biggest shock for the community.

[Britt]

While Morgantown carries on, there are those who moved away. Kelly Kearns, who'd been like a second mother to Rachel, relocated with her husband to Laramie, Wyoming. And Kim Keener, the Shoaf's next door neighbor, eventually settled in Florida, far away from the cul de sac with the haunted memories. But that Morgantown, man, I'll tell you, I was born and raised there, but.

[Ashley Flowers]

Now that I've been out of it about three years, looking back, I'm going to tell you that it's just really.

[Britt]

After this stuff with Rachel and just.

[Ashley Flowers]

Was not comfortable in the neighborhood anymore, you know, that kind of thing.

[Britt]

I mean, my life was just wiped.

[Ashley Flowers]

Out from under me. I mean, just completely wiped out from under me.

[Britt]

Patricia Shoaf and Tara Eddy are both gone now, too. Before leaving town, Tara had Mike Beninger send a package to Dave and Mary Neese.

[Dave Neese]

And it was the. It was a necklace. And I picked it up and right away I knew I saw it before. And the note said Mrs. Clendenna was cleaning out her daughter's room and found this necklace and knew it didn't belong to her and thought it might be Skylar's. Five years later, it was five years ago, I get the necklace and I look at it and I asked Mary, I said, mary, I've seen this somewhere where it wasn't. And then it dawned on me. When last time she hugged me goodbye, the necklace flew out and hit me in the chin. And I said, you watch that necklace, you gonna give me a chin bleed. And she just giggled and walked in, you know, and to find that the Eddie girl took it off her neck after she murdered her, that's. I'm telling you, that's serial killer stuff right there. And it's scary as hell. It really is. For somebody that young to be that evil. Are you born with it or do you grow into it?

[Holly Millay]

Dave Neese still sees his daughter everywhere. He talks to her all day long. One of the ways they keep her memory alive is through Skylar's promise, a series of talks they give around the country to high schools and prisons to share their story. And Prevent what happened to Skylar from happening to anyone else.

[Dave Neese]

Mary told me the other day, she goes, why do we keep doing this? And I said, I don't know. I was hoping you could tell me. She said, dave, every time I feel like I want to stop, 10 minutes later, something kicks me. I said, that's Skyler. She's not bashful. When she wants something done, she makes sure it gets done. And people may not believe in spirits or stuff, but I do. And I believe things don't always happen for a reason. But every cloud has a silver lining. And Skylar's death, as horrible as it was, took away from the world so much. I mean, she would have been. It's hard to tell. She might have been President of the United States. It's hard to tell with her. But one thing. Skylar was full of love. And that's what she wants on Earth. She wants love. And she doesn't ever want this to happen to anyone again. And I don't either.

[Holly Millay]

Later, Dave texted me something written by his friend Jackie Morgan. I keep it on my phone. I am often told how strong of a man I am. That is not a true statement. I do what is necessary to survive each day. Unless you have lost a loved one to a senseless and vicious murder, you will never be able to comprehend the pain faced every day as I waken, only to remember once again that my daughter is no longer with us. It is as if I lose her again each and every morning on a back road in brave Pennsylvania. My heart was ripped from my body and I will never be the same again. While others my age share photographs of their grandchildren, my child is frozen in time in a school photo in my wallet forever. 16. I will never have the opportunity to walk her down the aisle as the wedding march plays and lift her veil to kiss her as I give her hand to another man. Her mother will never have the occasion to hold her daughter's hand as she labors to bring forth new life. However, as insurmountable as our loss has been, it does not compare to what was taken from Skylar. She had her life stolen from her before she could graduate from University High School with honors. She was never able to attend college and become the lawyer that she intended to be. Her kindness to those that were a bit different and to every living thing could have made a major impact on the world that she knew. The life of a spirited and loving young woman such as Skylar Nies, that is something that you cannot begin to grasp exactly what could have been. Absolution is not a Possibility. At this point in time, it is my honest assessment that it will never be a likelihood. Forgiveness is a process, a choice you have to make over and over until you are free of all hurt and pain. My precious daughter was not only viciously murdered by two individuals that she believed to be her most trusted friends. They also betrayed her on levels that a rational person could not never comprehend due to sickness and evil. Skylar will be forever 16.

[Dave Neese]

Skylar will forever be 16. It's the worst thing I've ever heard. But it's so true. You know, everybody else is showing pictures of their grandchildren and Skyler's frozen in time. It's so unfair. She didn't do anything to deserve that. Nobody does anything to deserve something like that.

[Ashley Flowers]

Your boyfriend took our money in. Dicks.

[Kinky Palmer]

From producer Issa Rae.

[Ashley Flowers]

How we gonna make fifteen hundred dollars by six?

[Kinky Palmer]

You thought that's okay on January 6th?

[Ashley Flowers]

You want to loan?

[Justine Harmon]

Don't do it.

[Ashley Flowers]

I've never seen a credit score this low. What if we combine our scores?

[Kinky Palmer]

Kinky Palmer is having one of them days.

[Ashley Flowers]

First the rent and then Alomo's trying to kill us.

[Kinky Palmer]

SZA is having one of them days.

[Ashley Flowers]

He telling cheat and steal on the same day.

[Britt]

Alyssa, run.

[Holly Millay]

Damn.

[Kinky Palmer]

One of Them Days. Directed by Lawrence Lamont. Exclusively in theaters January 17th. Rated R. Under $17.99aminute without ferret. Meet Flip. She's one half of a Flip flop. That's me. Who got left behind at Celebration Key, Carnival's exclusive paradise in Grand Bah.

[Britt]

Uh, I chose to stay here.

[Ashley Flowers]

It really is paradise.

[Britt]

So now Flip spends her time lounging on the beach, swimming in the lagoon and eating. The only thing more impressive than my appetite are all the dining options.

[Justine Harmon]

Yeah.

[Kinky Palmer]

Have you tried food service to your cabana?

[Britt]

Ooh, yum.

[Kinky Palmer]

Flip.

[Britt]

Where'd she go?

[Kinky Palmer]

Book your cruise. Vacation to Carnival. Celebration Cay. A paradise you'll want to lose yourself in. Ships registry, the Bahamas and Panama.

[Britt]

Mary and Dave eventually moved away from Morgantown, too. Never allowed a moment's rest. After the case was closed, they left Star City and now live just over the West Virginia, Pennsylvania state line.

[Ashley Flowers]

Lastly, it was a few things. Mainly, it was, you know, people knew where we lived because we had had. We'd celebrated Skylar's birthday, had a candlelight vigil there. So they knew where we lived. Well, then we would. We would come home from work and there would be people there waiting for us, and they would want to visit and, you know, bring us little gifts or just say hello or how are you doing? And it's first, you know, it was okay. Well, then it's as it continued, it. It gets on your nerves. You know, it's like, just leave us alone. And we would find stuff on our doorknob. You know, they would leave things with our neighbors that we didn't even know. Only, you know, that was pretty embarrassing. And that and the fact that every time we turned around, you know, you saw Skyler, she loved to sit out on the deck and sunbathe, and she'd prop her feet up on the banister, and her and Lilu would be there in the sun. And, you know, Lilu would hide under the chair away from the sun sometimes.

[Holly Millay]

But.

[Ashley Flowers]

Even just walking past her bedroom door, it just got to be too much. And it was just time to go. You know, both of us knew it, and we just decided we wanted someplace out of the way and quiet. So that's what we did. We moved.

[Britt]

Mary had a heart attack two years ago. She's since retired with other health issues. But she and Dave are strong, and having survived the worst of tragedies, they're still together.

[Ashley Flowers]

And, you know, we have heard that so much about how couples end up splitting up. I don't know how. It's like, who would they lean on or depend on if they had split up? I just. I don't understand. You know, I would think it would be more the other way, But Dave says a lot that we helped each other. When he was down, I would help him through it, and when I was down, he would help me through it. And that is so true. I can remember so many times just losing it for no reason, you know, and he was there and did the same thing. You know, he would come home and be all crazy, and I'd have to calm him down. You know, it's just. Yeah, we truly were there for each other. I couldn't have done it without him, that's for sure.

[Holly Millay]

Even today, after so many years have gone by, no one, from the lawyers to the prosecutors to the investigators to the families involved, can understand how three beautiful girls, best friends, could collide in such a violent event. Sheila's attorney, Mike Beninger, who stated in court he could not find a reasonable defense for his client, has a theory that doesn't explain the why of what happened, but does address how in another era, things might have ended so differently.

[Mary Neese]

Had social media, cell phones, and the Internet and cellular coverage not have been in existence in 2012, Skylar Neese would be alive today. It's my opinion, opinion. And here's why these girls would not have said and transmitted tough talk, nastiness their messages back and forth because they wouldn't have said those things to each other face to face across the table like we're sitting here today, or within inches of each other. They wouldn't have done that because that would be unacceptable conduct in a personal interpersonal exchange in real time in each other's presence. That's my view of this. And once it gets to the point where it's cumulative anxiety is cumulative hatred, it adds up, it's a pylon effect. And when you have two on one, as we did in that instance, it's a cumulative, it's a, it's a force multiplier in the military terms.

[Britt]

Many times during our reporting, I've returned to Skylar's Instagram page, which is still available online with the handle hi asthesky. So many artifacts of her young life live forever on the page. A close up of Lilou with the caption when my dog cuddles with me. A dusty rose sunset. Avon naturals, body mist in pomegranate and mango scent. A Jolly Rancher brand candle. A handmade beaded necklace. Also on the grid, Rachel and Sheila, the last image of whom was posted less than two weeks before the murder with the caption I love summer. Like the items Skyler left behind her Wendy's work shoes, her hair straightener, her diary, her goodie and the bra recovered by the FBI, the things she immortalized on her Instagram feed seem both ordinary and infused with meaning. The intricate set dressing of a character whose life ended in the middle of the scene, forever waiting for someone to come back and claim them, to make them real again.

[Holly Millay]

Ten years later, Skyler's cell phone, the one they found in the woods at the murder site, remains sealed in a small Ziploc bag with the FBI tracking number still taped to the front. Open up the plastic bag and the reflection from the mirrored screen is partially covered with dried mud. Skylar's fingerprints and nails crossed the screen from her who knows how many unlocks of the pattern match. It's an LG phone, barely half the size of a teen's phone. In 2024, the FBI recovered the phone not far from Skylar's body. They most certainly were able to break into the phone. But now the nieces have it. The phone shouldn't work at all. After sitting in the wilderness for those six months, the SD card is missing, but the phone still turns on today and gets a signal. Dave has looked at the phone for hours and hours, haunted by the unknown memories of Skylar still locked inside, saw a butterfly was right under there and I walked over to read the bench and it flew up out and into the sky.

[Dave Neese]

Yeah, that Skyler, you know, we. They left her in her elements. She loved the outdoors. She loved the wilderness. And, you know, although something horrible happened here, she's happy. She's happy. It is what it is now. It's a place of love. And, and the people that did the bench put this grape thing up and although I don't think you'll ever get anything to grow out here because the deer will eat it before it ever gets the chance to grow.

[Holly Millay]

But Skylar would love that too.

[Dave Neese]

Yes, she would. She absolutely loved animals. I wasn't even allowed to kill ants, for God's sake. She. She would definitely put her foot down. I remember one time I had a fly land on and flies are annoying, and I went to slap at it like this and I missed it. And she goes, you're lucky you missed it. Take it outside and let it go. And I'm like, how do you catch a fly and take it outside and let it go? She goes, well, they don't deserve to die, dad. And I said, she goes, it's here on Earth for a reason. It never really dawned on me what she meant until she was gone. And it was here on earth for a reason.

[Britt]

Stay tuned for a bonus episode coming to you next week. Three is an original production of Waveland. The series is created and written by Holly Millay and me, Justine Harmon. The executive producer is Jason Hoak who produced and edited the series. Associate producers are Lydia Horne and Leo Culp. Fact checking by Lydia Horne. Sound engineering by Shane Freeman. Music by Robert Ellis. Studio recording at CDM Studios in New York and Wildwood's Picture and Sound in Los Angeles. Special thanks to Dave and Mary Neese in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia. If you love the series, leave a review and please tell your friends. Follow Waveland on Instagram avelandmedia for more on this series and upcoming new shows. Thanks for listening.

[Kinky Palmer]

For the next 20 seconds, picture yourself in a small town. Historic buildings, hip galleries and a chairlift right on Main street, smack in the middle of town. Now picture yourself on that chairlift. Crisp snowflakes and tall pines gliding beneath your skis. And now you're looking at that small town from the top of the mountain. Mountain. Hey, is that a moose down there?

[Britt]

If you can't wait to find out.

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