Disappearance Of Asha Degree
Child Disappearance Case
CLASSIFICATION: Missing Person
LOCATION
Shelby, North Carolina
TIME PERIOD
February 14, 2000
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On February 14, 2000, Asha Jaquilla Degree, a nine-year-old girl, disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, during the early morning hours. Despite heavy rain and wind, she packed a bookbag and left her residence, walking along North Carolina Highway 18; she was seen by passing motorists, but when approached, she fled into a wooded area. An extensive search initiated by her family and law enforcement uncovered some of her personal belongings near the last sighting location, and her bookbag was later found at a construction site in Morganton in 2001. Initially thought to be a runaway, the investigation has evolved over the years, with authorities now classifying her case as a homicide and identifying potential suspects, while the FBI has joined the investigation, offering a reward for information. Asha has been missing for over 25 years, and her family continues to raise awareness through annual events.
Asha Degree is believed to have been abducted after she left her home, as investigators could not determine a clear motive for her to run away at such a young age. Some theories suggest she may have been trying to escape a difficult situation at home, while others speculate that she was approached by someone in a vehicle who lured her away. The discovery of her belongings, including her bookbag, at different locations has led to further speculation about the timeline and circumstances of her disappearance.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Asha Degree
A Vanishing in the Night
On the morning of February 14, 2000, a nine-year-old girl named Asha Jaquilla Degree disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina. Her disappearance took place under baffling circumstances. Just a day earlier, on February 13, Asha had attended church with her family and returned home to her neighborhood on Oakcrest Drive, where she lived with her parents, Harold and Iquilla Degree, and her brother, O’Bryant. That evening, a car accident caused a temporary power outage in the area, but by 12:30 a.m., the power had been restored. Harold checked on his children and found both asleep.
Sometime between 2:30 a.m., when Harold last checked on the children, and 4:15 a.m., when a truck driver and a motorist spotted her, Asha left the safety of her home, packing a bookbag with clothes and personal items. The motorists saw her walking along North Carolina Highway 18 despite the heavy rain and wind. When one motorist attempted to approach her, concerned by the sight of a young girl alone so early in the morning, Asha fled into the nearby woods, vanishing into the darkness.
A Family's Nightmare
By 5:45 a.m., Iquilla awoke to prepare Asha and her brother for school. Realizing Asha was not in her bed, panic set in. Asha was not found in the house or the family cars, nor was she at her grandmother's house nearby. Desperate and fearful, Iquilla called the police at her mother's suggestion. By 6:40 a.m., officers arrived to begin their search. However, police dogs were unable to pick up Asha's scent, and a search of the surrounding area yielded only a mitten that Iquilla insisted did not belong to her daughter.
The Search Intensifies
The community rallied to support the Degree family, with friends and neighbors canceling their plans to aid in the search. Despite extensive efforts, which included the distribution of flyers and the involvement of local clergy, the initial search ended after a week without a significant lead. The hunt for Asha had absorbed 9,000 man-hours and generated 300 tips, but none led to Asha.
Clues and Questions
A few days after Asha’s disappearance, investigators found candy wrappers, a pencil, a green marker, and a yellow hair bow in a shed near where she was last seen. These items were identified by her parents as belonging to Asha. Also discovered was a wallet-sized photograph of a girl the Degrees did not recognize. This shed, located near the highway, was the last known place Asha had been seen.
In August 2001, a significant discovery was made. During a construction project off Highway 18 in Burke County, about 26 miles north of Shelby, Asha’s bookbag was found wrapped in two black trash bags. The bookbag, which bore her name and phone number, was sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for forensic analysis. It contained a copy of Dr. Seuss's "McElligot's Pool" and a T-shirt featuring the band New Kids on the Block. The book was from Asha's school library, but the ownership of the T-shirt was unclear.
Theories and Media Attention
Despite the grim reality, authorities initially considered the possibility that Asha ran away. However, the lack of any apparent motive and her young age made this theory unlikely. FBI Agent Bart Burpeau remarked that Asha did not fit the profile of a typical runaway, and her family life appeared stable. As the case drew national attention, the Degree family appeared on shows like "The Montel Williams Show," "America's Most Wanted," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to plead for information about Asha.
Renewed Efforts and Continuing Hope
In February 2015, the FBI, alongside state and local authorities, reopened the investigation. They offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Asha's disappearance, complemented by an additional $20,000 from a community group. A potential lead emerged in May 2016, suggesting that Asha might have been seen entering a dark green Lincoln Continental Mark IV or a similar Ford Thunderbird on the night she vanished.
The Degree family has kept Asha’s memory alive through annual walks and a scholarship in her name. These walks, originally held on the anniversary of her disappearance, now occur earlier in February to avoid turning Valentine's Day into a somber occasion. They serve both as a reminder of Asha and a beacon of hope for her eventual return.
A Lingering Mystery
Despite the passage of time, the mystery of Asha Degree's disappearance remains unsolved. Her disappearance continues to perplex investigators and haunt her family. As of the 20th anniversary of her disappearance in 2020, the case has been reclassified as a homicide investigation, and the search for answers persists. Asha’s story is a chilling reminder of how quickly a life can be altered and a testament to the enduring hope of a family waiting for a beloved daughter to return home.
Sources
For more detailed information about Asha Degree's case, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Disappearance of Asha Degree.
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Asha Disappears
Asha Degree goes missing from her home in the early morning hours.
Initial Search Begins
An intensive search for Asha begins, with family and police involved.
Bookbag Found
Asha's bookbag is discovered at a construction site, containing personal items.
FBI Joins Investigation
The FBI reopens the investigation and offers a reward for information.
New Lead Disclosed
FBI reveals a possible sighting of Asha getting into a vehicle.
CARD Team Activated
FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team assists in the investigation.
20th Anniversary
The FBI confirms details about Asha's bookbag on the anniversary of her disappearance.
Search Warrant Executed
Authorities execute a search warrant related to Asha's case based on new evidence.
New Evidence Emerges
Search warrants reveal text messages linked to the investigation.
On February 14, 2000, Asha Jaquilla Degree, a nine-year-old girl, disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, during the early morning hours. Despite heavy rain and wind, she packed a bookbag and left her residence, walking along North Carolina Highway 18; she was seen by passing motorists, but when approached, she fled into a wooded area. An extensive search initiated by her family and law enforcement uncovered some of her personal belongings near the last sighting location, and her bookbag was later found at a construction site in Morganton in 2001. Initially thought to be a runaway, the investigation has evolved over the years, with authorities now classifying her case as a homicide and identifying potential suspects, while the FBI has joined the investigation, offering a reward for information. Asha has been missing for over 25 years, and her family continues to raise awareness through annual events.
Asha Degree is believed to have been abducted after she left her home, as investigators could not determine a clear motive for her to run away at such a young age. Some theories suggest she may have been trying to escape a difficult situation at home, while others speculate that she was approached by someone in a vehicle who lured her away. The discovery of her belongings, including her bookbag, at different locations has led to further speculation about the timeline and circumstances of her disappearance.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Asha Degree
A Vanishing in the Night
On the morning of February 14, 2000, a nine-year-old girl named Asha Jaquilla Degree disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina. Her disappearance took place under baffling circumstances. Just a day earlier, on February 13, Asha had attended church with her family and returned home to her neighborhood on Oakcrest Drive, where she lived with her parents, Harold and Iquilla Degree, and her brother, O’Bryant. That evening, a car accident caused a temporary power outage in the area, but by 12:30 a.m., the power had been restored. Harold checked on his children and found both asleep.
Sometime between 2:30 a.m., when Harold last checked on the children, and 4:15 a.m., when a truck driver and a motorist spotted her, Asha left the safety of her home, packing a bookbag with clothes and personal items. The motorists saw her walking along North Carolina Highway 18 despite the heavy rain and wind. When one motorist attempted to approach her, concerned by the sight of a young girl alone so early in the morning, Asha fled into the nearby woods, vanishing into the darkness.
A Family's Nightmare
By 5:45 a.m., Iquilla awoke to prepare Asha and her brother for school. Realizing Asha was not in her bed, panic set in. Asha was not found in the house or the family cars, nor was she at her grandmother's house nearby. Desperate and fearful, Iquilla called the police at her mother's suggestion. By 6:40 a.m., officers arrived to begin their search. However, police dogs were unable to pick up Asha's scent, and a search of the surrounding area yielded only a mitten that Iquilla insisted did not belong to her daughter.
The Search Intensifies
The community rallied to support the Degree family, with friends and neighbors canceling their plans to aid in the search. Despite extensive efforts, which included the distribution of flyers and the involvement of local clergy, the initial search ended after a week without a significant lead. The hunt for Asha had absorbed 9,000 man-hours and generated 300 tips, but none led to Asha.
Clues and Questions
A few days after Asha’s disappearance, investigators found candy wrappers, a pencil, a green marker, and a yellow hair bow in a shed near where she was last seen. These items were identified by her parents as belonging to Asha. Also discovered was a wallet-sized photograph of a girl the Degrees did not recognize. This shed, located near the highway, was the last known place Asha had been seen.
In August 2001, a significant discovery was made. During a construction project off Highway 18 in Burke County, about 26 miles north of Shelby, Asha’s bookbag was found wrapped in two black trash bags. The bookbag, which bore her name and phone number, was sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for forensic analysis. It contained a copy of Dr. Seuss's "McElligot's Pool" and a T-shirt featuring the band New Kids on the Block. The book was from Asha's school library, but the ownership of the T-shirt was unclear.
Theories and Media Attention
Despite the grim reality, authorities initially considered the possibility that Asha ran away. However, the lack of any apparent motive and her young age made this theory unlikely. FBI Agent Bart Burpeau remarked that Asha did not fit the profile of a typical runaway, and her family life appeared stable. As the case drew national attention, the Degree family appeared on shows like "The Montel Williams Show," "America's Most Wanted," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to plead for information about Asha.
Renewed Efforts and Continuing Hope
In February 2015, the FBI, alongside state and local authorities, reopened the investigation. They offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Asha's disappearance, complemented by an additional $20,000 from a community group. A potential lead emerged in May 2016, suggesting that Asha might have been seen entering a dark green Lincoln Continental Mark IV or a similar Ford Thunderbird on the night she vanished.
The Degree family has kept Asha’s memory alive through annual walks and a scholarship in her name. These walks, originally held on the anniversary of her disappearance, now occur earlier in February to avoid turning Valentine's Day into a somber occasion. They serve both as a reminder of Asha and a beacon of hope for her eventual return.
A Lingering Mystery
Despite the passage of time, the mystery of Asha Degree's disappearance remains unsolved. Her disappearance continues to perplex investigators and haunt her family. As of the 20th anniversary of her disappearance in 2020, the case has been reclassified as a homicide investigation, and the search for answers persists. Asha’s story is a chilling reminder of how quickly a life can be altered and a testament to the enduring hope of a family waiting for a beloved daughter to return home.
Sources
For more detailed information about Asha Degree's case, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Disappearance of Asha Degree.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Asha Disappears
Asha Degree goes missing from her home in the early morning hours.
Initial Search Begins
An intensive search for Asha begins, with family and police involved.
Bookbag Found
Asha's bookbag is discovered at a construction site, containing personal items.
FBI Joins Investigation
The FBI reopens the investigation and offers a reward for information.
New Lead Disclosed
FBI reveals a possible sighting of Asha getting into a vehicle.
CARD Team Activated
FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team assists in the investigation.
20th Anniversary
The FBI confirms details about Asha's bookbag on the anniversary of her disappearance.
Search Warrant Executed
Authorities execute a search warrant related to Asha's case based on new evidence.
New Evidence Emerges
Search warrants reveal text messages linked to the investigation.