Telling this tragic all-too-true story has been an honor. It has taken tremendous time and effort from many people without whom this book would never have come to fruition. The entire creative team at BenBella Books has been fabulous, from Publishers Glenn Yeffeth and Adrienne Lang to Clarissa Phillips, Annie Gottlieb, James Fraleigh, Sarah Dombrowsky, Monica Lowry, Jennifer Canzoneri, and Lloyd Jassin.
A special word of thanks goes to Editor Erin Kelley, who took our “baby” and gave it just the right amount of tender loving care so it could face the world on its own.
In addition, we cannot thank our publicist enough. Michael Wright (and his partner, Leslie Garson) did an outstanding job, whether working with local or national media. He went above and beyond.
A handful of people deserve special mention: Mary and Dave Neese, who were courageous enough to share their story with us; Katherine Boyle, the best agent ever, and one we were so fortunate to find; Ken Lanning, whose analytical skills prevented us from being blinded by easy answers; Diane Tarantini, who provided an endless stream of encouragement and whose eagle eye helped our words shine; and Kinsey Culp, who helped Daleen survive this journey.
We have tried to list everyone who was generous with their time and information, but if we forget anyone, it is no reflection on your contribution to this story, or your efforts to sustain us as we wrote it. Among this group are family and friends who supported us, fellow writers who loaned us their writing ear, the investigating officers who worked this case, and last but certainly not least, the teenagers who knew Skylar, Rachel, and Shelia. They were among the most courageous people to come forward with the knowledge that helped us piece together how this terrible crime happened.
They include Shania Ammons; Courtney Austin; Becky Bailey; Linda Barr; Trooper Chris Berry and Alexis Berry; Ted Bice; Commissioner Tom Bloom; Cathy and Mike Callison; Jordan Carter; Jocelyn Claire; Officer Jessica Colebank; Dylan and Debby Conaway; Jill Damm; Lexi Dean; Dan Demchak; Eric and JoJo Finch; Winston Fuller; Bri and Beth Gardner; Corporal Ronnie Gaskins; Shelley Gilbert; Julie Haught; Dyllan Hines; Kirsten and Tonya Hiser; Alesha Holloway; Becky Hood; Lauren Housman; Daniel Hovatter; Amorette and Penny Hughes; Candace Jordan; Sheriff Al Kisner; Kelsey Konchesky; Cameron Lancaster; David, Cheryl, and Morgan Lawrence; Fantasia Liller; Hayden McClead; Meredith Marsh; Delegate Charlene Marshall; Connie Merandi; Carol, Kyle, and Steve Michaud; Kristen Miller; Phyllis Moore; Cheri Murray; Joanne Nagy; Michael Neese; Cynthia Nelson; Chief Vic Propst; Destinee Pyles; Mary Beth Renner; Ashley Riffle; Sarah Robinson; Rick Stache; Crissy Swanson; Nancy Weber; Kelly Wilkes; Kevin Willard; Ariah Wyatt; Chuck Yocum; and all the people who talked to us, even if only anonymously.
However small or great, your contribution has been immensely important as we raced toward our deadline to finish this book. We cannot, no matter how much we try, thank you enough.