Amber Phillips
Updated on: October 10, 2024 10:18 pm GMT
CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities executed new search warrants this week in connection to the long-unsolved disappearance of Asha Degree, who was just nine years old when she vanished over 24 years ago. The coordinated effort involved members of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Details of the Search Warrant Execution
According to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, these search warrants were obtained based on newly discovered physical evidence directly linked to Asha’s disappearance. The authorities confirmed that multiple items were collected for analysis, but they also emphasized that initial rumors regarding the recovery of human remains were inaccurate. “No human remains were recovered,” stated deputies, reiterating their commitment to clarifying the facts of the case.
Asha Degree’s Disappearance
Asha Degree was last seen on the morning of February 14, 2000. Her family reported having checked on her around 2:30 a.m., finding her asleep in her bedroom. However, at about 4:00 a.m., several drivers on N.C. 18 in Shelby reported seeing a girl matching Asha’s description walking along the highway. Despite extensive searches and numerous leads over the years, Asha has not been found, and her case remains unsolved.
Investigation Developments Over the Years
The pursuit of clues regarding Asha’s fate has spanned more than two decades. Investigators have followed various leads and conducted hundreds of interviews since she disappeared. Notably, Asha’s black book bag was discovered in 2001 near N.C. 18, and in the months following her disappearance, candy wrappers and a hair clip were found in a nearby barn.
Significant Leads and Breakthroughs
Several key developments have characterized the investigation throughout the years:
- 2005: A tip from an unidentified inmate directed investigation to an area south of Shelby. However, searches using cadaver dogs yielded no new evidence.
- 2006: A report indicated that a girl resembling Asha was seen in Detroit, but this lead also proved fruitless.
- 2014: Donald Ferguson was arrested in connection with a 1990 murder, but no conclusive ties to Asha’s case were established despite a thorough investigation.
- 2016: The FBI revealed that a witness had reported seeing Asha getting into a vehicle described as a dark green Lincoln or Ford Thunderbird from the early 1970s.
- 2018: Investigators found two items potentially linked to Asha: a Dr. Seuss book and a concert T-shirt from the New Kids on the Block.
Despite these numerous efforts and discoveries, a definitive breakthrough in the case of Asha Degree has yet to occur.
Continuing Efforts and Community Support
Authorities are actively pursuing new information in the ongoing investigation, as evidenced by the recent search warrants. A $45,000 reward remains in place for anyone providing information that leads to the identification of the individual or individuals responsible for Asha’s disappearance. The Degree family is continually hopeful, maintaining their resilience while awaiting answers about their daughter.
How to Help
Law enforcement encourages the public to come forward with any information they may have regarding Asha Degree’s case. Individuals with leads are urged to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4888 or the Charlotte FBI Field Office at 704-672-6100. The community’s involvement is vital in the search for answers in this cold case.
Police say that finding Asha is still really important to them. They are looking into new information that might help them search for her again. Asha’s family has been waiting for answers for over twenty years, and they want justice. Asha’s case shows how important it is for everyone in the community to help when someone goes missing.
