Kona Gallagher 10/16/23 Kona Gallagher 10/16/23

Vanishing Act: The Story of Asha Degree's Disappearance

In the quaint town of Shelby, North Carolina, the story of Asha Jaquilla Degree unfolds, marked by a series of perplexing events that continue to baffle investigators and tug at the hearts of her family. Born into a close-knit household, Asha's life revolved around family, school, and church, yet her tale takes an unexpected turn on the fateful Valentine's Day of 2000. As storms and darkness enveloped the Degree residence, Asha's disappearance set off a frantic search, revealing cryptic clues that only deepened the mystery. From eyewitness sightings to the discovery of her backpack miles away, every detail of Asha's vanishing act adds layers to a narrative that refuses to be forgotten. The Degree family's enduring hope, coupled with the relentless efforts of investigators, underscores a story that goes beyond a mere disappearance—it's a puzzle waiting to be solved, a family waiting to be reunited.

The story of Asha Jaquilla Degree's disappearance is a heart-wrenching mystery that has puzzled investigators and haunted her family for over two decades. In this podcast episode, we delve into the timeline of events surrounding Asha's vanishing act, exploring key moments, eyewitness accounts, and the ongoing efforts to find answers.

Early Life and Family Background (1990-2000)

Asha Jaquilla Degree was born on August 5, 1990, in Shelby, North Carolina, to Harold and Iquilla Degree. Raised in a tight-knit family, Asha and her brother O’Bryant enjoyed a sheltered upbringing centered around family, school, and church. The Degrees focused on maintaining a safe and orderly environment for their children, with Asha and her brother focused on their schoolwork and basketball.

The Weekend Before Disappearance (February 11-13, 2000)

Valentine's Day weekend in 2000 marked a special time for Asha and O’Bryant. Despite a basketball game setback for Asha, the family spent quality time together. Asha enjoyed a sleepover with her cousins on Saturday, while Sunday included church and lunch at an aunt's house. However, that evening, a storm disrupted their routine. Asha, feeling restless due to the weather, joined her family in the den. A power outage ensued, and the children were sent to bed. The last check on Asha was around 2:30 am.

Disappearance Unfolds (Morning of February 14, 2000)

Valentine's Day, also Harold and Iquilla's wedding anniversary, took a tragic turn when Iquilla discovered Asha missing when she went to wake the kids up for school. A frantic search ensued, involving law enforcement, family, and neighbors.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Asha walking along North Carolina State Route 18 between 3:30 and 4:15 am. Two truck drivers described a small figure in light-colored clothing, one thinking it might be a woman in a domestic violence situation.

Discovery of Clues (February 17, 2000)

A breakthrough occurred when one of the eyewitnesses, trucker Jeff Ruppe, guided investigators to a location where Asha had veered off the road into the fog. In an outbuilding on Charles Turner's property, investigators found a plastic hair bow, a pen, a white pencil from Atlanta, and candy wrappers that belonged to Asha. These clues led to an intense ground search of the area surrounding the building, but no additional clues were unearthed.

Construction Site Discovery (August 2001)

Over a year later, construction workers in Burke County, 25 miles away, found a double-wrapped plastic bag containing Asha's backpack. The contents, sent to FBI headquarters, revealed clothing, a piece of paper, and a pencil case. A thorough search of the area yielded no further traces of Asha.

Renewed Investigation and New Leads (2016-2018)

In 2016, the FBI released a new tip about Asha being seen getting into a car on Highway 18. Two years later, details about items in Asha's backpack, including a Dr. Seuss book and a New Kids on the Block concert T-shirt, were disclosed.

False Leads and Ongoing Hope (2020-2023)

Despite tips from an inmate and various investigations, false leads and dead ends have marked the years following Asha's disappearance. The Degree family, resilient and hopeful, continues to believe that Asha is alive, waiting for the day they can be reunited.

The disappearance of Asha Degree remains an unsolved mystery, leaving a family in perpetual anguish. As investigators continue to explore leads and the Degree family holds onto hope, the story of Asha serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and questions that linger in cases of missing loved ones.

Listen to the full story on this episode of And Then They Were Gone, available on your favorite podcast app.