The Disappearance of Asha Degree in Shelby North Carolina

The disappearance of Asha Degree on February 14, 2000, in Shelby, North Carolina, remains one of the most perplexing and heartbreaking missing person cases in the United States. Asha, a shy and bright 9-year-old girl, vanished without a trace from her home in the middle of the night, leaving her family, the community, and investigators with more questions than answers.

Despite over two decades of investigation, media attention, and multiple searches, Asha’s case remains unsolved. Let’s take a detailed look at the timeline, theories, and efforts to uncover the truth behind Asha Degree’s disappearance.

Who Was Asha Degree?

Asha Jaquilla Degree was born on August 5, 1990, to Harold and Iquilla Degree. The Degree family lived in a quiet neighborhood in Shelby, North Carolina, a small town in Cleveland County. Asha was a well-behaved, shy, and intelligent child. She was an excellent student at Fallston Elementary School and enjoyed playing basketball on her school’s team.

Her parents were described as protective, making sure Asha and her brother were kept away from negative influences, such as crime or unsafe areas. They did not have a home computer, and the children’s television time was limited. As a result, Asha’s disappearance shocked not only her family but also her community, as no one could understand why or how she would disappear.

The Events Leading Up to Asha’s Disappearance

On the evening of February 13, 2000, Asha and her family attended church, returning home around 8 p.m. It was a typical night for the Degree family, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. After a bath, Asha and her brother O’Bryant, who was 10 at the time, went to bed around 8:30 p.m. They shared a room in the family’s single-story house.

Later that night, a severe storm hit the area, causing power outages. However, the Degree home’s power was restored fairly quickly. Asha’s parents checked on their children before going to bed, finding both asleep in their beds.

Around 2:30 a.m., O’Bryant woke up to the sound of Asha moving in her bed, but he didn’t think much of it and went back to sleep. This would be the last time anyone in the house saw Asha.

The Day of Asha’s Disappearance

By all accounts, Asha voluntarily left her home in the early hours of February 14, 2000. Her family woke up around 6:30 a.m. to begin their day, only to discover that Asha was missing. Her bed was empty, but there was no sign of a forced entry or struggle. Asha had packed a small backpack with some of her clothes and personal items, indicating that she may have planned to leave on her own.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing Asha walking along North Carolina Highway 18 between 3:30 and 4:15 a.m., about a mile and a half from her home. One motorist even turned around to check on her, but Asha ran into the woods, disappearing into the darkness.

This sighting, combined with her missing belongings, led authorities to believe Asha left of her own accord. However, the reasons for her departure, and why she chose such a dangerous route, remain unclear.

The Immediate Search for Asha Degree

Once Asha’s parents realized she was missing, they immediately contacted the police. A massive search effort began that same day, involving local law enforcement, the FBI, and hundreds of volunteers from the community. Despite combing the surrounding areas, including the woods where Asha was last seen, there were no immediate leads.

Police dogs were brought in to track Asha’s scent, but the trail quickly went cold. Flyers with her picture were distributed, and the media picked up the story, hoping that national attention might bring new information. Unfortunately, there were no significant developments in the first few days after her disappearance.

Disturbing Clues: The Discovery of Asha’s Backpack

Over a year after Asha disappeared, in August 2001, a major clue was uncovered. Asha’s backpack, which she had packed and taken with her, was found buried in a plastic bag along Highway 18, about 30 miles away from her home. The backpack contained several of Asha’s personal items, including clothing and a book borrowed from her school.

The discovery of the backpack deepened the mystery. How did it end up buried in a rural area? Did Asha bury it herself, or was someone else involved? While it provided a small breakthrough, it ultimately raised more questions than answers, and the case remained stagnant.

Theories About Asha’s Disappearance

Given the strange circumstances surrounding Asha Degree’s disappearance, several theories have emerged over the years. These theories range from Asha being a victim of foul play to her becoming lost or abducted after running away.

Theory 1: Asha Ran Away Voluntarily

One of the leading theories is that Asha ran away voluntarily, possibly planning to meet someone. Her packed bag and the witness sightings support this idea. However, there is no clear indication of why she would leave her home in the middle of the night. There were no reported issues at home or school, and her parents were described as loving and supportive. This leads some to believe she may have been coerced or tricked into leaving.

Theory 2: Asha Was Abducted

Many believe that although Asha left her home voluntarily, she may have been abducted soon after. The fact that she ran into the woods when a motorist tried to approach her could suggest she was scared or knew someone was following her. The discovery of her backpack miles from her home adds weight to the theory that someone else was involved in her disappearance.

Theory 3: A Tragic Accident

Another possibility is that Asha, unfamiliar with being out alone at night, could have gotten lost or injured after leaving her home. However, the lack of physical evidence (such as her body or more belongings) in the areas that were searched makes this theory less likely.

Renewed Interest and Developments in the Case

In the years since Asha’s disappearance, there have been periodic updates and renewed efforts to solve the case. The FBI and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office have continued to investigate, and in 2015, a new lead emerged. Investigators released information about two possible items linked to Asha: a Dr. Seuss book and a New Kids on the Block T-shirt that may have been in her backpack.

In 2020, on the 20th anniversary of Asha’s disappearance, the FBI re-released a plea for new information, along with an age-progressed photo of what Asha might look like as an adult.

Roy Dedmon and Russell Underhill’s Connection to the Case

On Monday, September 16, 2024 police announced that search warrants were recently executed at several properties across North Carolina belonging to a family suspected of being connected to Degree’s disappearance.

Police searched a home in Shelby, an assisted living facility in Vale, and a home in Charlotte, belonging to the Dedmon family. Investigators believe that the Asha became a “victim of homicide, with her body concealed,” according to search warrant documents.

Investigators recently tested DNA samples from Degree’s backpack and clothing. It’s not clear when the tests were conducted or why officials decided to analyze the evidence now, but improvements in DNA testing generally have led to recent breakthroughs in other cold cases.

The DNA samples have been linked to AnnaLee Dedmon Ramirez, who was 13 at the time that Degree went missing, and is now in her thirties. Dedmon Ramirez’s DNA samples were found on Degree’s belongings, according to police. Her father Roy Dedmon, who is in his 80s, is a suspect in the case, police said. Dedmon’s home is located close to where Degree was last seen.

Roy Dedmon told police that he doesn’t know what happened to Degree and denies any involvement.

Russell Underhill is also connected to the case, according to documents. Underhill, was a patient who lived in “at least two facilities” operated by Roy Dedmon, police said, before he died in 2004. His connection to the case is unclear, but his DNA was also found on the child’s belongings.

Police seized several vehicles belonging to Roy Dedmon, including a car that resembled one connected to the disappearance. One witness saw the girl being pulled into a green vehicle. Authorities also found a human tooth in a plastic bag during the searches.

Hopefully, these searches and DNA samples will lead to uncovering what happened to Asha Degree. The police are continuing their investigation and may be one step closer to solving this cold case. For now, we cannot jump to any conclusions and allow the police to do their job. More details to come.

The Impact of Asha Degree’s Disappearance on the Community

The disappearance of Asha Degree has left an indelible mark on the Shelby community. Her family continues to search for answers and maintains hope that she is still alive. Her mother, Iquilla, famously said that Asha was too shy and scared of the dark to have left on her own, which makes her disappearance all the more confusing.

Each year, on the anniversary of her disappearance, the community comes together for a walk organized by the Degree family, in hopes of keeping her memory alive and encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

A Case Still Cold, But Not Forgotten

The disappearance of Asha Degree remains a chilling mystery that haunts all who have followed the case. Despite the years that have passed, law enforcement and Asha’s family have not given up hope. As technology advances and more awareness is brought to missing children’s cases, there is still hope that one day, the mystery of what happened to Asha Degree will be solved.

The Public’s Role in Solving the Case

Cases like Asha Degree’s highlight the importance of public involvement. Even the smallest piece of information can be crucial to resolving a long-standing investigation. Law enforcement continues to encourage anyone with potential knowledge about the case to come forward. Solving the mystery of Asha Degree will not only bring justice but also offer closure to her grieving family and community.

Degree’s family have previously said that they believe she is alive and offered a $45,000 reward to help find Asha, who would now be 33 years old.

Anyone with information on Asha’s disappearance is asked to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4756 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI