Could it be that they knew all along who the car belonged to, and that the owner was across the street. They did not disclose because they didn’t have enough evidence for a warrant. They also feared that to show their hand would prompt the owner to destroy car/evidence. Instead of disclosing everything they knew to chase an abductor across the state(s). They knew all along where the perpetrators were. They were watching and waiting. That explains the very limited information released.

NCMEC released an image of what they feel the skull found in 2009 may have looked like. People are immediately connecting the similarities to Asha Degree.

Thoughts?

Just started listening to this series after finding out about it on Facebook. This seems like it might be interesting. Streaming on Apple Podcasts & Spotify:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cleveland-county-valentine/id1767067608?i=1000672169459

https://open.spotify.com/show/3nZHA6eZXG4qZlWTvGlDR3

I remember thinking it really strange as a kid that my mom was hyper-aware of stranger danger, but would send me on my own to the spot to catch the school bus.

We were semi rural, in the same region as the Degrees, and from my experience in the 80's & 90's it was perfectly normal to wait outside, sometimes quite far from your house, for the school bus, alone, and in the winter it would still be pitch black outside.

Was Asha bussed or driven by her parents?

I once woke up on a Saturday, in automatic mode, and merrily walked the 1/4 mile down the country road to the main road, in the dark. I stood by myself by the road, with a walkman on, listening to Queen, for twenty minutes before my dumb little brain figured out I had fucked up. I was 12, female, tiny and oblivious.

Since I am typing, I also want to confirm from experience, the New Kids on the Block top is 99.9% a nightgown. The curved hem style ones that were longer than a shirt. I still had one in a drawer until 1997, so, close to the time.

Occam’s Razoring the new evidence: one of the adult Dedmons was grooming Asha, maybe through one of the daughters, and they convinced her to leave home. They agreed on a pickup time and location, somewhere along or just off the highway. This would explain why she kept running from the trucks (because they weren’t the car she was told to watch out for) and also was seen getting into the green car.

Starts about fifty minutes in. He was in his semi, according to him.

https://www.youtube.com/live/d0CO8nx4a_Y?si=ADdFGegPvR2dy4va

What if the Dedmon daughter who's birthday it was the day of Asha's disappearance had snuck out of the house to celebrate it/hang out with people whom her parents didn't approve of, and what if Roy was driving around trying to find her and encountered Asha?

I still think there could be an indirect connection between the Dedmon daughters and Asha via people her older cousins may have been acquainted/hung out with (perhaps someone in their social circles was involved with one of the daughters), and maybe Asha had been lured out of her home under the premise of getting to hang out with the big kids just like she had at the sleepover with her cousins?

The sleepover angle speaks to me of her being comfortable socially with people older than her, especially if she knew them or if a family member like her cousins would be involved. Also, maybe the Turner shed was supposed to be the meetup spot for this, and when whoever was supposed to show up there didn't, Asha left and that's when everything happened.

So, I know that the sleepover that Asha went to the night before her disappearance was with her cousins, but what was the purpose of it? Was it a birthday celebration or just a random get-together? Was it family only, or could older friends of ger cousins have been there at some point during the evening? Have a possible theory related to this that I'm working out and need to check the details...

As I replay the details of this case over and over again in my head, I can’t help but wonder if there is some truth in the suggestion that Asha may have left her home that night due to something deeper going on behind the scenes. As others have said, happy children do not leave their happy homes in the middle of the night for no reason.

One part of the timeline that has always stuck out to me is the sleepover at Asha’s cousin’s (Catina's) house the night before she went missing. We know that at least 12 of Asha’s cousins were there. We know that Catina was 15 while Asha was 9. I have seen it reported that friends of family members were also in attendance that night, but I am not sure whether that assertion has been confirmed. Regardless, I do not believe it is a stretch to assume that Asha’s uncles and other distant relatives may have made an appearance at Catina’s house.

The reason that the sleepover has always stuck out to me is due to the statistics surrounding CSA. In sharing this theory, my intention is not to implicate, disparage or further victimize the Degree family, but to offer another perspective on where Asha’s mind could have been that night. 90% of sexually abused children know their abuser, with 30% being abused by family members and 60% being abused by people known and trusted by family members. If we consider that Catina was 15 and Asha was 9, that means that at least one of the sleepover attendees was in fourth grade, while at least one other was potentially a freshman or sophomore in high school. That is a pretty significant difference in age and does raise the question of the ages of the other attendees that night. If family friends were there, were they all high schoolers? Did they have boyfriends or girlfriends that could have shown up? With at least 12 cousins present and others potentially in attendance, would anyone have noticed if a couple people disappeared for a few minutes? I have seen it reported that Catina and Asha were up late whispering, and that feels really odd when trying to imagine what could be a source of secrecy between a fourth grader and a freshman/sophomore in high school.

The following morning we know that Asha was picked up to go to church with her family. I do not believe it is a stretch to consider that Asha’s nearby relatives (i.e., the sleepover attendees) likely went to the same church as Asha, O’Bryant and their parents. If something had happened to Asha at the sleepover, would it have been especially hard for Asha to see them again in the morning at church? Could that have reinforced the idea that there is no escaping family? If her abuser was trusted by her parents, Asha may have not felt like she could confide in her parents. She might have felt like she would get in trouble for sharing something like that, or that she might not be believed if she were to bring it up to them.

The night Asha left, she walked south toward Shelby on Highway 18. She was last seen near Debbie Turner Upholstery. Further up the road is Shelby Police Department. Could Asha have been walking to the police station to talk to the police? 9 year olds are at the age where they have been repeatedly drilled with “if you need help, call 911!” and “if you’re ever in trouble, go to the police!” Children this age view police officers as heroes who come in and fight off the bad guys. She could have planned to tell LE not to tell her parents (since 9 year olds wouldn’t realize that LE wouldn't keep a report like that confidential) and possibly could have left her home in the middle of the night so that her parents would have no idea that she even wanted to discuss anything with LE.

She would not have known how far a walk like that would take, but may have known that the drive past the police station to her house is only 11 minutes. I also don’t think a 9 year old would realize that a small town police department likely would not be open at 4 a.m. I know I definitely did not know that when I tried to file a police report at 16.

We also know that Asha was a very obedient child and was submissive to authority. She might have seen someone like a police officer who is in a position of power and not felt like she was doing anything wrong by going to speak to them. Venturing out into the unknowns of the night as a young girl does seem like it would be a terrifying endeavor—but if you believed you were walking toward safety, you might not feel like you were in grave danger.

As for the contents of her backpack, we know that LE recovered a change of clothes, her basketball uniform, some pictures of her family and a Dr. Seuss book (among other things). I think it is plausible that Asha could have left for the police station in the clothes she wore to bed, thinking that she would change once the police dropped her off at school. Maybe she brought pictures of her family for the purpose of identifying herself to LE. While we don't know who the Dr. Seuss book came from, I think it’s possible that she could have packed it to return that day at school as it was from her school's library.

This theory does not answer the question of what happened to Asha once she left the Degree home, but I believe the reason she left and what happened to her on Highway 18 are unfortunately unrelated.

It sounds like Shelby was hit by the storm and is slowly recovering, thankfully. I'm curious if folks have thoughts on the impact it might have on the investigation or recovery of Asha?

I’m still fairly new to the case. I have followed on and off for the past year.

Can someone tell me if the area the contractor was clearing and the backpack was found, was it thick and wooded? Also, hidden from public view?

I was just wondering if she could be there?

I know someone saw Dedmon digging a deep hole, but I’m just curious if the area of the backpack be considered. Also, has it ever been searched?

Please forgive me if I am adding this to the wrong section. I am new here. I think I’ve read every theory under the moon. As a girl who grew up being bullied, knowing how vicious children can be… there’s one thing that is glaring me in the face. We know Roy was a real class act… likely showing some degree of that in his parenting and thus passing that to his children. Did the Dedmon daughters know Asha’s cousins? Could asha have been lured out of her home by promise of a sleepover with older kids or some other fun activity? At this age she may have been trying to “prove” herself to an older age group. Did the dedmon daughters have a riff with the older cousins and in an attempt to “get back at them” they lured Asha into some sort of trap? Can someone shed some light on this for me?

This MEGA THREAD is for any comments, theories, thoughts, or information that may not be approved as a stand alone post.

Since this is the space for theories, remember that disagreement is okay as long as it's respectful.

So, share what's on your mind about this case.

So I know that the contractor opening the trash bag was an extremely lucky chain of events. Because after all he is a contractor who probably came across trash dumped all over and never thought to check inside.

So as we are aware he said what he found inside the bag disturbed him but what he saw was never released

So does anyone think that maybe there was something else found in that area before the bag was discovered? I’m thinking that if he hypothetically found something like a makeshift campsite in an area where that’s pretty uncommon then he’d might be more inclined to check the garbage bag.

What do you all think

Even though Asha's family was fairly private, she was exposed to a lot of people through basketball, church, the sleepover and school. What we know of the DNA evidence, two hairs could be a bit like touch DNA. Hairs -- and fibers -- transfer easily.

No one seems to have made direct connections between Asha and the names suspects and their family.

But were these people in any way connected to the activities mentioned? For instance, older kids might help coach smaller kids in a sport.

Or did anyone in any of these activities have a direct connection to, for instance, the teenagers in the named suspects' family?

It seems like this could be a valuable area to explore.

Nowadays we all have mobile phones for the time/alarm even young kids. But in 2000 I'm certain Asha didn't have one.

At her age I had a digital clock/alarm with a radio that plugged into the power (you could get battery of course).

We know there was a power cut that night when was restored after midnight but if she had an electric clock it would read 00:00 when the power was restored so she wouldn't know the time.

I've checked and sunrise on 14 Feb in NC in 2000 was 07:1, Asha normally got up around 6am when it was dark so when she woke at 3am ish the fact it was dark wouldn't have been helpful in understanding the time, she may have thought it was closer to morning and as she was wide awake decided to 'run an errand' before school.

Would it have been likely she had a clock/alarm that ran off power or battery?

The point I'm making is we all say what on earth was a 9 year old doing out at 3am, but she may have had no idea what the time was and thought it was closer to morning.

Was this packed in the “go bag” bag, unworn? Is this an undershirt she was wearing that night? If so, why would she take it off? I don’t like it that her undershirt is even in the bookbag. What other clothes were in there? All the items she wore that night plus more? Or are some clothing items she wore that night missing? Hence the children’s pants they took from the Dedmons property. Ugh.

Feel free to correct me if this is wrong, just throwing an idea out here...

Where did Asha's older teenaged cousins attend high school and what activities were they involved in, if any? This has me thinking...just because there's no known direct connection between Asha and the Dedmon family, doesn't mean that there isn't an indirect one via her cousins (maybe one of them hung around people the oldest daughter dated, was harassed/bullied by them, played against them in sports, etc).

Does anybody know if Analise's DNA was found on the nightgown? If so, it would make sense due to her being old enough to be a fan. This case is so confusing, because why was she outside at that time of night/early morning? It makes me wonder if Analise was a member of the sleepover?

Charley Project Case File has been updated

Asha Jaquilla Degree – The Charley Project

“Unconfirmed reports state the bag contained Asha's name on a piece of paper, as well as clothing and a pencil case. DNA found on it was linked it to two people: Annalee Victoria Dedmon Ramirez, who was 13 years old at the time of Asha's disappearance, and a man named Russell Bradley Underhill.

In September 2024, police searched multiple properties owned by a married couple, Roy Lee Dedmon and Connie Elliott Dedmon, including two houses and an assisted living facility they operated. Annalee Dedmon Ramirez is the Dedmons' daughter, and her home was searched also. Underhill lived in at last two facilities operated by the Dedmons at around the time of Asha's disappearance, and he "knew and associated with" Roy. Underhill died in Lincoln County, North Carolina in 2004.

Investigators took away multiple pieces of potential evidence, including an old green AMC Rambler similar to the one Asha may have gotten into, but they emphasized they did not find any human remains. They stated they believe Asha was the victim of a homicide and her body concealed.

According to the search warrants, Roy would regularly send one of his teenage daughters to transport patients to and from the hospital in Morganton, North Carolina and the vehicle used was unreliable. The route to the hospital would have been on Highway 18, where Asha was seen walking. Police theorize the Dedmons' children (Annalee has two sisters who were 15 and 16-17 years old in 2000) were involved and that their parents helped execute and/or cover up the crime.

A number of persons of interest have been investigated in Asha's case over the years, but until 2024 no suspects were named in her case. It remains unsolved.”

Ok, we know DNA profiles matching AnnaLee and Russel Underhill were found on the undershirt and the inside of the trashbag- great, got it.

What is the purpose though, besides isolating profiles derived from evidence obtained in the search warrants, of swabbing Roy and Connie Dedmond?

What I’m really trying to figure out is- if Roy and Connie’s DNA was in/on the bookbag or trashbag, would they have already known it from AnnaLees sample? Or will they be able to see it now that they have their specific profiles on hand?

I have gotten conflicting answers on this. Some say Roy and Connie’s DNA definitely was not amongst the already existing evidence, because AnnaLees submission would have identified that. Like, they would have enough from AnnaLee to determine that her parents DNA is on those things too.

Others say the buccal swabs are to determine whether Roy and Connie‘s DNA is on the existing evidence, because AnnaLees sample is not enough to determine that.

Which is it?

New podcast episode out today covering the Asha case with all the new evidence that’s come to light. Highly recommend

Episode title: the lid is about to blow off this thing any minute - Asha degree

from everything I’ve read so far the front door to their house would automatically lock once it shut. If you aren’t familiar with this kind of door basically on the inside of your house you wouldn’t need to turn a knob to lock it because on the outside the door would automatically lock itself.

Now the most common theory we’ve heard is that Asha ran away from home. But, if she did why take a house key if you didn’t plan on coming back.

I’ve read that she kept the key in her school bag. And that when the bag was recovered they found her purse with it. But didn’t find the house key.

So my question is what do you think happened to it? What would cause the key to be missing vs keeping the purse?

I have seen a few people post a video of a YouTuber going down the same highway Asha was last seen walking. Basically from my understanding it’s really just to show exactly how dark it is on that road. The YT wore all black to show how easily it would be for a perpetrator to be able to walk behind or near Asha at distant not be seen by oncoming traffic.. now I will admit I didn’t fully watch the video because I have the opposite thought process on it.

I keep thinking about a whole clothing theory but it doesn’t involve the “all black clothing” theory to “blend in” by a perpetrator. Instead it’s the opposite it’s to stand out. For Asha to stand out.

hear me out..

no one’s talking about the fact that Asha was wearing ALL white clothing. White-washed or white jeans, white shirt (long sleeved), and white Nike shoes! (Ruppe / Sundrop Trucker thought she had a white night gown on though either way still all white)..

Stay with me for a second…

I don’t know about anyone growing up in the 90s! But my parents driiiiiillllled it in my head that “if you’re going to ride your bikes or walk at dawn, dusk or in the night wear light clothing so people can see you.. if you wear dark clothing you’re Z going to get hit!”

(Coming from the generation where kids always were outside from morning to night around town on bikes or playing on the sidewalks every parent yelled this mess)..

But is so true! I don’t know how many times as an adult in this same town and surrounding areas as Asha that I’ve almost hit a walker or a person riding a bike on the road because their clothing is too dang dark until I’m right up on them and almost clipped them with my side mirror.. especially if I don’t have my brights on and even then sometimes they aren’t in just the right frame to see them till you’re right up on them.

So I’ve always got hung up on the fact that Asha was last seen in all white clothing. Like why dressed from head to toe in all one solid color.. the same color that will make you for sure stand out in the middle of the night.. was there a reason for that this entire time? I’ve never seen a single person suggest this. Like am I overthinking this or is does it make you question it too?

I mean she would be around the same age as me now so I know her mama taught her the same thing I did about wearing lighter clothing.. so I feel like if we look at the theory of her running away theory wouldn’t she want to blend into the night.. farther off away from the roadway and not be so visible to oncoming traffic..

I feel like this could really potentially be a key in her disappearance in that aspect.

So if you theorize another specific subject and take the luring/grooming theory into consideration I could see a predator possibly telling a young 9 year old to make sure she dressed in all white so he/she can see her from the road when they get ready to meet up and lick her up.

Again this may have just been a coincidence that she was in all white at the time that she disappeared, may not even be any reason behind why she wore it but it could point in the direction on why she was so easily seen on such a very dark road during a stormy night.

Depending on when the witness to the green car comes into play this maybe why (Ruppe, Blanton Sr, Blanton Jr, and then this car witness) 4 witness are marked as credible witnesses / tips) because she was so easily seen due to the light clothing choice..

The question though is.. is it just a coincidence or was there a motive to it all along. Obviously we won’t know unless it’s revealed later in the investigation.

I got other theories / speculations and questions from over the years but this one has always stuck with me.

Praying over everything else that Asha is brought home soon and that the Degree family can have closure as well as our community as those who loved and was impacted by Asha’s life.

I’m sure many timelines have been posted but I saw one again today in a Shelby Star article.

Thought I’d post it here for anyone who wants to see. Please add to it if you think something is missing.

Timeline: A look at the case of Asha Degree from 2000 to todayA decades-missing person's case for "Shelby's Sweetheart" has taken on new life after local, state and federal investigators executed search warrants last week.

Here's a look back at how the case has progressed leading up to present day:

Here is a timeline of events in Asha Degree’s disappearance:

Feb. 14, 2000

2:30 a.m.: Asha’s father checks on her.

3:15 a.m.: Asha is seen walking on N.C. 18 toward Shelby by a truck driver.

6 a.m.: Asha is reported missing.

Asha Degree Feb. 23, 2000

The physical search for Asha is called off.

2001

Asha’s backpack is found buried along N.C. 18 in Burke County.

2014

Law enforcement believes they have a suspect, but it leads to another dead end.

2016

The FBI and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office release information about a car that Asha may have gotten into on the night she disappeared. The vehicle is described as an early 1970s Lincoln Mark IV or a Ford Thunderbird, dark green, with rust around the wheel wells.

Examples of the type of car Asha might's gotten into the night of her disappeance. 2017

In an effort to generate new leads, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina office of the FBI partners with the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team out of the FBI’s main office in Washington.

2018

The Sheriff’s Office releases a video reviewing the Degree case and asks for information about new items of interest found by the FBI child abduction team, including the Dr. Seuss book “McElligot’s Pool” and a New Kids on the Block concert T-shirt.

2020

The FBI releases an updated photo of what Asha Degree may look like today.

Later in the year, Marcus Mellon, a prison inmate, wrote a letter to The Star to say that he knew how the child was killed and where to find her.

A photo shows what Asha Degree might look like today. 2021

Delayed by COVID restrictions, investigators interviewed Mellon and said his claims did not have merit.

Sept. 10, 2024

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, SBI and FBI descend on Cherryville Road to serve search warrants.

Sept. 16, 2024

Search warrants are returned at the Cleveland County Courthouse to reveal the seizure of a car, cameras, journals, film, computers, children's clothing and a human tooth in a Ziploc bag.

A car is towed from a property that was searched in Shelby last week.