NC NC - Asha Degree, 9, Shelby, 14 Feb 2000 #2

[K.jill]

Google Maps puts it as just over a mile.

Here is a link to an article from 2016 with some earlier details about the circumstances surrounding the green car. Keep in mind the new articles are saying "pulled" into the car.

Snipped: [May. 25, 2016] Someone matching Asha's description was seen getting into a car on Highway 18 around the area where she was last seen. The vehicle is being described as an early 1970s Lincoln Mark IV or a Ford Thunderbird with rust around the wheel wells.
"This vehicle is right now considered a vehicle of interest, and it was occupied two times on the day of her disappearance," Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said. "It had been discovered by leg work with by the sheriff office investigators along with the federal government."

FBI: Asha Degree may have gotten into a dark green car on night of disappearance

Someone matching Asha's description was seen getting into a car on Highway 18 around the area where she was last seen.

www.wbtv.com

What does this mean?
“it was occupied two times on the day of her disappearance,"

 

[sunflowermomma]

Every update must be devastating for the family. Praying for them receiving this hard news after all this time.

MOO, I find it hard to believe a teen would be driving patients at 3-4 AM.

 

[BondGirl007]

I wonder if there's a chance Asha's DNA will be found inside the vehicle after all this time.

Absolutely with the Bardole Method - Bardole DNA Collection Method | M-Vac Systems, Inc

 

[Proud Country Gal]

What does this mean?
“it was occupied two times on the day of her disappearance,"

It means there were 2 people in the car. A driver and a passenger then Asha got in or was pulled in...

 

[Truth Prevails]

What does this mean?
“it was occupied two times on the day of her disappearance,"

So, it was explained to me that it's law enforcement jargon meaning the vehicle had two people already inside it (when it stopped for Asha). I haven't seen that mentioned in the new info we are receiving.

 

[Megsc]

I still go back to the start..
Why did Asha pack a bookbag and leave in the dark of night..when it was cold and drizzling?

Yes!! Exactly my thought too ! I can't believe she wasn't lured outside in some way...

 

[Molly's Mom]

I'm sorry. I've looked through the last 3 pages which seem to have the most recent information. Do we have links to the search warrants?

 

[DS2021]

I'm sorry. I've looked through the last 3 pages which seem to have the most recent information. Do we have links to the search warrants?

Not yet

 

[Mysteries1974]

The new information brings forth many terrible possibilities. I have seen that most people generally believe Asha was struck by the car accidentally and that the driver panicked. I still think it’s possible the Dedmon family members who were involved might’ve abducted Asha or lured her into the car. We won’t really know how she died until her remains are located.

 

[annierb]

Why was she outside? That's the question that keeps rolling in my mind.

 

[KidouKeijiJiban]

Why was she outside? That's the question that keeps rolling in my mind.

I think it was ultimately a "kid logic" kinda deal. Maybe she wanted to get to school extra early to get lots of basketball practice. Or maybe something mildly upset her and she wanted to run away. Who knows?

I think this is only really a serious mystery if you cling onto her parents calling Asha shy and scared. But I think they told a little white lie to the media to make her more sympathetic. There's a real stereotype of black kids being troublemakers and causing their own problems, so I don't blame the parents for pushing back against that stereotype even if they had to lie a little. That's probably why there's been slight inconsistencies in the parents' accounts of that day over the years.

Again, not trying to insult the parents. I'd probably do far worse than little lies if it meant I could get my 9 year old child back.

 

[Sweetluv]

I still go back to the start..
Why did Asha pack a bookbag and leave in the dark of night..when it was cold and drizzling?

Why was she outside? That's the question that keeps rolling in my mind.

That's the question I can't seem to shake..

 

[aThousandYearsWide]

"According to the documents, a DNA sample of a hair stem taken from Degree’s undershirt appeared to match Dedmon Ramirez’s DNA."
I wonder if this daughter of the Dedmon's was at the sleepover Asha attended. Did they ever release an official list of her bags contents when it was found? I vaguely remember reading it somewhere. Is it possible that her bag wasn't pre-packed before supposedly leaving and that it just wasn't unpacked from the previous days, the sleep over, basketball practice, etc. Also, they didn't specify what type of DNA was found by Russell Underhill. Something is strange about them having their minor teenage child transporting patients (supposedly adults) alone. Also why in the middle of the night? During a storm?

To be honest about the unidentified girl's photo, pencil, candy wrappers, and hair bow found at the shed could potentially have been a red herring this whole time. Someone mentioning that it seems like they could have fell out of furniture being reupholstered which makes the most sense. (Unless hair evidence linking it to Asha was found of course) It could be completely unrelated.

Wow! I have followed this case for a really, really long time. I am around Asha's age and am also from North Carolina. Her missing person poster is among the first I remember seeing. Fingers crossed her family will have closure soon. I feel for them right now during this time.

Cleveland County investigators think missing girl Asha Degree was killed, warrants reveal

A girl who went missing from Cleveland County in 2000 is now believed to have been killed, according to court documents released Monday.

www.wbtv.com

 

[Googlebutts]

The new information brings forth many terrible possibilities. I have seen that most people generally believe Asha was struck by the car accidentally and that the driver panicked. I still think it’s possible the Dedmon family members who were involved might’ve abducted Asha or lured her into the car. We won’t really know how she died until her remains are located.

I’m not leaning towards any particular theory. Anything is possible. I just pray her family gets the truth and can lay her to rest. This has to be hard enough on them. Then add in all the blaming they’ve been subjected to online. It’s horrible

 

[Palisades]

Absolutely LE is still trying to identify this girl to determine if there is a connection or link to the crime, but it's very important to note that Asha did not have her photo. There may be a link, but there is certinly no direct link to Asha at this point in time.

Those items were small items similar to items Asha owned, not 100% certain her items.

 

[Palisades]

"According to the documents, a DNA sample of a hair stem taken from Degree’s undershirt appeared to match Dedmon Ramirez’s DNA."
I wonder if this daughter of the Dedmon's was at the sleepover Asha attended.

I also wonder if there ig any of the Dedmon girls knew Asha. I know everyone is wondering why she left the house that night. Maybe some peer influence, trying to hang out with older girls?

Did they ever release an official list of her bags contents when it was found? I vaguely remember reading it somewhere. Is it possible that her bag wasn't pre-packed before supposedly leaving and that it just wasn't unpacked from the previous days, the sleep over, basketball practice, etc. Also, they didn't specify what type of DNA was found by Russell Underhill. Something is strange about them having their minor teenage child transporting patients (supposedly adults) alone. Also why in the middle of the night? During a storm?

The transporting could have been another time and a hair left behind and transferred.

To be honest about the unidentified girl's photo, pencil, candy wrappers, and hair bow found at the shed could potentially have been a red herring this whole time. Someone mentioning that it seems like they could have fell out of furniture being reupholstered which makes the most sense. (Unless hair evidence linking it to Asha was found of course) It could be completely unrelated.

Yes this needs repeating! Always one of my biggest pet peeves with the case.

 

[Googlebutts]

Someone has uploaded the search warrant docs to google documents and posted it on Reddit

 

[sunflowermomma]

To some 9 year olds, a 16 year old would be a cool older kid they would listen to or want to be around. To other 9 year olds, a 16 year old could seem like a grown up they could trust. MOO.

 

[sunflowermomma]

Is it standard practice to seize a firearm? Or does this mean they suspect it is related?

 

[aThousandYearsWide]

The AMC Rambler, which was seized by law enforcement last week from 601 Cherryville Road, is dark green and has damage to the front end, the documents state. A man who has been living at the property for five years told investigators that there are three rooms in the house that are locked with padlocks and have remained locked since he moved into the home. He said Dedmon told him he had personal property in the locked rooms.

During interviews last week, a woman also told law enforcement that several years ago she saw Dedmon digging a chest deep hole on the property at 601 Cherryville Road.

Law enforcement seized VHS tapes, journals written by Lizzie and Annalee Dedmon, DSS complaint documents, a flip phone, disposable cameras, film, the car, a black trash bag, jeans, children's clothing and a rifle, the search warrant reveals.

The items that were seized from the Hawthorne Lane home include various technology, including a computer, laptop, tablet, a flash drive containing photos, external hard drive, digital camera, floppy disk, assorted CDs and SD cards.

The case is also linked to Underhill. According to his obituary, Underhill was 54 at the time of his death.

The documents go on to say that in May of 2023, investigators conducted interviews with an employee at Cleveland County Social Services who confirmed that Underhill resided at Cleveland Health Care and that they recalled that Roy Dedmon was involved in Underhill's care in February of 2000 and "informed investigators they were told Roy Dedmon would send his 16 to 17 year old daughter Lizzie Grace Dedmon Foster, to transport patients in an unreliable vehicle to and from Broughton Hospital in Morganton."

Investigators were able to obtain Underhill's medical records which revealed that in 1994, Connie was an administrator for Cleveland Health Care and she documented directions on medication administration for Underhill. Roy Dedmon was also listed as Underhill's emergency contact.

Search warrants reveal details of Asha Degree case

Search warrants reveal details of Asha Degree case

www.shelbystar.com