ABC 20/20 “How’d You Rather Die?” April 12 2024 Recap & Preview
ABC’s “20/20” presents a chilling investigation into the shocking disappearance and murder of 16-year-old Skylar Neese. Initially thought to be a runaway, Skylar’s disappearance took a sinister turn when a surveillance video surfaced, showing her entering an unknown vehicle late at night. Months of searching led to a devastating revelation: Skylar’s two best friends confessed to luring her out of her family’s apartment, stabbing her, and concealing her body in the woods.
In this two-hour special, ABC News correspondent Ryan Smith delves into the harrowing details of the crime, uncovering the unthinkable truth behind the actions of teenage girls turned murderers. The program features interviews with key figures, including hosts and producers of the podcast “Three,” Holly Millea, Justine Harman, and Jason Hoch, as well as individuals closely associated with the case, such as former school counselor Tom Bloom and retired law enforcement officers Chris Berry and Marcia Ashdown.
Tune in to “20/20” on Friday, April 12 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC, or catch it the next day on Hulu, to explore the disturbing motives and tragic consequences of this heinous crime.’
What Happened to Skylar Neese?
Skylar Annette Neese, a teenage girl from Star City, West Virginia, vanished from her home on July 6, 2012, only to be tragically found dead in January 2013 in Pennsylvania. Her murderers turned out to be her high school friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. Shoaf confessed to the crime, revealing that they killed Neese because they “didn’t like her” and “didn’t want to be friends with her anymore.” Eddy pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years, while Shoaf received 30 years with parole eligibility after 10 years.
Neese’s disappearance and murder prompted changes in West Virginia legislation regarding the AMBER Alert system. Skylar’s Law, named in her honor, modified the AMBER Alert plan to issue immediate public announcements when any child is reported missing and in danger, regardless of whether they are believed to have been kidnapped. This legislation aims to prevent delays in responding to missing children cases and improve safety measures for at-risk youths.
