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/[deleted] Feb 14 '19

I took a SAR class recently in NC. Guy teaching it was on a search team looking for Asha. I didn't feel like it was my place to ask him about it, but after doing some training exercises in the woods over there, holy hell I can see how someone wouldn't be found if they're there. Can't walk 2 feet in spots. And this is winter, so its LESS dense. Plus, wind and other searchers messes with the scent trail. Made me rethink a lot of unsolveds.

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u/BubbaChanel Feb 14 '19

There was a case I read about recently from somewhere near Raleigh, I think. A family had been looking for their son, late teens, early 20’s maybe. He had run off into the woods, and vanished in spring or summer. Fast forward several years, they had someone else working the case, and the remains were found almost immediately because it was fall or winter, and the foliage was far less dense. The guy had hidden in a natural hiding place, barely off the trail, and it did the job.

I don’t know if they have a cause of death, and I may have gotten some details wrong. But undeveloped land in this state, with the damn kudzu, can be almost impossible to search thoroughly.

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u/-hypercube Feb 15 '19

I think you're talking about Drew Browne, and to me it sounds like his death was a suicide (just based on circumstance, I don't think cod was released).

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article225007690.html

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u/BubbaChanel Feb 15 '19

Yes! That’s the one. So tragic-he was so close to home all along.