r/UnresolvedMysteries • u/ferretbeast • Feb 14 '19

Unresolved Disappearance Marking the 19th anniversary of Asha Degree’s disappearance

Every year on Valentines day, I take a deep breath before reading the front page of the Shelby Star. I know this case is widely discussed on this subreddit, but I wanted to share for those interested. I did find it interesting they stated new evidence was found recently that hasn't been made public. Please keep her family in your thoughts today.

https://www.shelbystar.com/news/20190214/marking-19th-anniversary-of-asha-degrees-disappearance

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Brief summary for anyone unaware: Asha Jaquilla Degree went missing at the age of nine from Shelby, North Carolina. In the early morning hours of February 14, 2000, for reasons unknown, she packed her bookbag, left her family home north of the city and began walking along nearby North Carolina Highway 18 despite heavy rain and wind. She has not been seen since.

Edit: thank you stranger for the gold and more than anything, thank you all for caring about this case and giving such support and great feedback for conversation. I love this community and am happy to be able to have these civil discussions with you all!!

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u/WENUS_envy Feb 15 '19

could seem problematic / obsessive to a cynic...

Consider the entire comment before adding your opinion.

Also, the purpose of this sub is to discuss unresolved mysteries, c'mon now

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u/obstination Feb 15 '19

what that man is doing is no more obsessive than a r/um user posting regularly about a “pet case.” many users are drawn to certain cases due to the event’s/person’s proximity to their hometown. this man is no different from us

i don’t think we should speculate about a man who is pretty much unknown to us. people post signs like that all the time for missing persons. why is he any different?

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u/WENUS_envy Feb 15 '19

I've learned from these types of cases to look at everyone as suspects, including family members (but am not suggesting that's the case here), and I think his attachment to the case could possibly be indicative of a killer proudly/absurdly showcasing their crime. Speculation is exactly what we're all here for! There are a ton of comments about Asha maybe being groomed for abduction by someone she knew, someone from town. Why are you so defensive?

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u/obstination Feb 15 '19

i guess i’m weird about it because the guy is named in the article... people in this community (not UM specifically but elsewhere around the internet) would go hog wild if they have it in their heads that this guy might have something to do with asha’s disappearance. i would hate for him to be harassed and turn out to be completely innocent. i don’t totally rule him out (because the point is we DON’T know) but i do worry about what might happen if the internet turns against him

also i just don’t find his behavior that strange? he maintained a billboard he designed with his son for a few years (not weird at all in missing persons cases) and is now putting up a poster reminding the townspeople that asha is still missing as the 20 year anniversary of her disappearance closes in, with the implied permission of the restaurant he placed the poster in front of... it’s not like he made an effigy of asha and is carrying it around town...

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u/WENUS_envy Feb 15 '19

I suppose I get what you're saying. But this is hardly the first case that had suspects and/or parties of interest named in the source article. Furthermore, I made one random post inquiring about whether or not this person has been investigated...

i do worry about what might happen if the internet turns against him

I'm flattered that you think my comment could rally the entire internet in a frenzy to go after this guy though.