Lincoln woman pleads guilty to accessory charge in killing of Carly Schaaf

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln woman took a plea deal Thursday in the 2021 murder of Carly Schaaf.

Rachel Pageler pleaded guilty to accessory to manslaughter, which was reduced from accessory to first-degree murder, and concealing of a human body.

On June 23, Pageler’s boyfriend, 28-year-old Joesef Barraza, was convicted of first-degree murder, plus three counts of first-degree sexual assault.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln man convicted of first-degree murder in 2021 killing of Carly Schaaf

According to court documents, Schaaf was one of three women Barraza raped.

Schaaf was reported missing on May 19, 2021.

Her body was found a month later at Pawnee Lake west of Lincoln.

An autopsy revealed that she had been drugged and suffocated, according to court documents.

Her body also had stab wounds that were inflicted after death, an arrest affidavit says.

SEE ALSO: Records: Carly Schaaf died by homicide

Barraza bleached Schaaf’s hair in an effort to change her appearance, then hid her body at the lake.

Police said his brother, then-16-year-old Danyl Barraza, helped him dispose of the body. He is charged with accessory to a felony.

Joesef Barraza is set to be sentenced on Aug. 14, and Pageler’s sentencing is set for Oct. 2.

Danyl Barraza is due in court on Aug. 18.