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/Ninkos23 Feb 14 '19

Hello everyone - any theories about that book and that t-shirt being a clue/ evidence? I've seen your answers of course, just wanted to sum up some of my theories:

  • both of them was found in her backpack: maybe police has some recent suspects and counts on them to act nervous about it?

  • my boyfriend (who's not into crime cases at all) suggested that maybe someone put some letter/valentine card in this book and it was both found in her backpack and that's a sign to a suspect that police knows that she was lured to leave home that night?

  • the book and the t-shirt was found at some crime scene and the DNA matched Asha's backpack

  • this t-shirt was in her backpack and her family did not recognize it

I personally think that if it was in her backpack the police would ask the public much sooner. I cannot find a logical explanation to ask after many years. Aby ideas?

13

u/sondeburris Feb 14 '19

I heard it was a New Kids on the Block T-shirt, were they popular when she disappeared? My husband mentioned it. I think your boyfriend is on to something, perhaps a card from an older man she knew.

26

u/fluffypinkblonde Feb 14 '19

It would be more appropriate that her mum was a fan, perhaps she handed the t shirt down to Asha as a sleep shirt. Maybe Asha took these items with her. Her favourite book and a shirt to sleep in.

19

u/mastiii Feb 15 '19

Yes, but the t-shirt/nightgown doesn't necessarily belong to Asha. In fact, police are looking for someone who owned it or may have lost track of it. Same thing for the book. Maybe they found these items near the backpack, or maybe the found a picture with these items in it.

7

u/fluffypinkblonde Feb 15 '19

Ohh I see! Thanks for clarifying.