Asha 9 Year Old: Disappearance and Investigation Updates
Asha, a 9-year-old girl, disappeared on February 14, 2000 from Shelby, NC. Asha Degree, the 9-year-old girl who disappeared, continues to baffle investigators. Last seen walking on Highway 18 at 3:15 AM, authorities now believe Asha, the 9-year-old, was killed and her body concealed. Recent developments in the Asha Degree missing case include DNA evidence, suspect identification, and vehicle searches.
Key details of Asha's disappearance
- Date and time: Asha, 9 years old, went missing on February 14, 2000, last seen around 3:15 AM walking on Highway 18 near Shelby, NC
- Age and description: Asha was 9 years old at the time of her disappearance, making the Asha Degree missing case particularly heartbreaking
- Weather conditions: The 9-year-old girl disappeared during a ferocious storm
- Last known actions: Asha, 9 years old, packed her book bag and snuck out of her home
Investigation developments
Vehicle of interest
- Suspected vehicle: Investigators believe Asha, the 9-year-old, may have been pulled into a green vehicle, possibly against her will
- Vehicle description: A 1970s-era green Ford Thunderbird or Lincoln Mark IV with rust around the wheel wells, potentially linked to the Asha Degree missing case
- Recent seizure: In September 2024, authorities towed a green AMC Rambler from a property related to the investigation of the 9-year-old girl who disappeared
Evidence and searches
- Backpack discovery: Asha's backpack was found in August 2001, buried along Highway 18 in Burke County, about 30 miles from where the 9-year-old was last seen
- DNA evidence: Hair found in Asha's backpack matched AnnaLee Dedmon, who was 13 at the time, and a man named Russell Underhill
- Recent searches: In September 2024, authorities searched properties connected to the Dedmon family, including Roy and Connie Dedmon's home, in relation to the Asha Degree missing case
Current status
- Case status: Investigators now believe Asha, the 9-year-old, was killed and her body concealed
- Suspects: Roy Lee Dedmon and Connie Elliott Dedmon have been named in search warrants related to the 9-year-old girl who disappeared
- Reward: The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward, with an additional $20,000 from local authorities and the community for information leading to Asha's whereabouts
Ongoing efforts
- Annual walk: Asha's parents host a walk each year on the anniversary of her disappearance
- Public assistance: The FBI regularly asks for public tips to help solve the case of the 9-year-old girl who disappeared
- Age-progressed photo: In 2020, the FBI released an updated photo of what Asha, 9 years old at the time of her disappearance, might look like today
FAQ
What happened to Asha Degree, the 9-year-old girl who disappeared?
Asha Degree, a 9-year-old girl from Shelby, NC, disappeared on February 14, 2000. She was last seen walking on Highway 18 at 3:15 AM. Investigators now believe she was killed and her body concealed.
When did Asha Degree go missing?
Asha Degree went missing on February 14, 2000. The 9-year-old girl disappeared in the early morning hours, around 3:15 AM, during a severe storm.
What evidence has been found in the Asha Degree missing case?
Asha's backpack was found in August 2001, buried along Highway 18. DNA evidence from hair found in the backpack has been linked to AnnaLee Dedmon and Russell Underhill. A green vehicle is also suspected to be involved in her disappearance.
Are there any suspects in the case of the 9-year-old girl who disappeared?
Roy Lee Dedmon and Connie Elliott Dedmon have been named in search warrants related to Asha's disappearance. Authorities have recently searched properties connected to the Dedmon family.
What efforts are ongoing to solve the Asha Degree missing case?
The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward, with an additional $20,000 from local authorities and the community. Asha's parents host an annual walk, and the FBI regularly asks for public tips. An age-progressed photo of Asha was released in 2020 to aid in the search.
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