Rachel Shoaf was born on June 10, 1996, in Morgantown, West Virginia. She was an only child and was raised in a religious household. Rachel was known for her involvement in school theater productions and was considered a bright student. 

She was active in her church and participated in school theater productions, portraying a positive image to those around her. Rachel was also involved in various extracurricular activities, including singing and piano lessons. She was described by those who knew her as an adventurous and happy girl. 

Rachel met Skylar Neese and Shelia Eddy at University High School in Morgantown, West Virginia, where they became close friends. 

The trio was often seen together, and their friendship appeared to be strong. However, as time went on, Rachel's behavior began to change. She started sneaking out, skipping classes, and regularly smoking marijuana. There were also signs of tension in her friendship with Skylar Neese.

On July 6, 2012, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy lured their friend, 16-year-old Skylar Neese, out of her home in Star City, West Virginia, under the pretense of a late-night drive. 

The trio drove to a secluded area in Pennsylvania, a spot they had frequented before. Once there, upon a prearranged signal, Shoaf and Eddy attacked Skylar, stabbing her multiple times until she succumbed to her injuries. They attempted to bury her body but, finding the ground too hard, covered it with branches and debris instead. 

A school photo

After the murder, Shoaf and Eddy maintained a facade of normalcy, assisting in distributing missing person flyers and expressing concern on social media. However, as the investigation progressed, evidence pointed towards their involvement. In January 2013, Rachel Shoaf suffered a nervous breakdown and was briefly admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Upon her release, she confessed to authorities, leading them to Skylar's remains. 

She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on May 1, 2013, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison with eligibility for parole after 10 years. Rachel has expressed remorse for her actions and has been denied parole twice, with her next hearing scheduled for 2026.​