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

[HockeyMom330]

Just adding my two cents, regarding the accident theory, the weather definitely plays into this being a possibility as well… I just wonder what made her leave the house in the first place. I just don’t buy into the sleepwalking theory, especially in the rain.IMO MOO

If there was an accident, which I think is very possible, I agree that the weather likely played a role. My grandpa was struck and killed by a car when crossing the road. It was a dark and rainy night. The driver was not speeding, intoxicated, or distracted. It was just an accident. Reportedly there was no blood at the accident scene. His pelvis was shattered, which caused massive internal bleeding, and ultimately his death.

In Asha's case I can easily imagine that a driver (such as one of the Dedmon's teenage daughters who reportedly used the route Asha was walking to transport patients) could have hit her accidentally as visibility would have been reduced by the darkness and the storm, and nobody would have expected a small child to be on the road. I think it is highly possible they panicked, and dragged her injured or lifeless body into their vehicle (hence a witness describing Asha being "pulled into a green vehicle").

Their parents could have helped with the cover up by disposing of Asha's body and belongings to protect themselves as it was likely not legal/ethical for the daughters to be transporting patients. I think this scenario is believable given that news articles state that Asha was "killed and her body concealed". IMO, semantically this is very different than saying she was 'abducted and murdered'. She was killed in a car accident and then her body was hidden to protect several members of the Dedmon family. Just a theory.

 

[justinkjones1993]

I have (on more than one occasion) rear ended somebody's car while attempting to stop in the rain. It's called hydroplaning, which is what happens when your tires drive over wet pavement or standing water and lose contact with the road surface, resulting in a loss of traction and an inability to steer the car.

I think it's possible the Dedmond daughter was driving, saw Asha, actually wanted to stop and help, but because of the wet road she ended up sliding directly into Asha and could not stop.

Again, this is all my opinion but I have a hard time thinking this is a case of grooming when the Dedmon's daugther's DNA is on that book bag. Most predators act alone, keep the secret to their grave or until they are caught. They would not involve their teenage daugther or spouse. And they wouldn't ask a victim to trek along a highway at 3 AM. Too risky and doesn't make sense.

There's also a lot of red herrings in this case including
1. The sleepover. I keep seeing this cited as a potential clue to the case, and I really just don't see it. I'm not attempting to offend anyone here, but I'm black and I can tell some of y'all aren't familiar with the black family dynamic in small towns. The majority of black families in the south are large and tight knit. Lots of cousins in neighboring towns. In my town, if you're black, there's a greater than 90% chance that either I know you and your relatives, or I AM a relative. Sleepovers and extended stays at one another's homes are extremely, extremely common. I don't consider it the least bit strange that Asha was attending one of these, it was probably a very regular occurance.

2. The basketball game. I don't think this has any bearing at all.

3. Why she left the house. Puzzling? Yes. Strange? For sure. But Asha was 9. There's really no telling why she left and we don't have any good evidence of grooming or that she was coaxed to leave by someone. I think at this point it's possible and maybe even likely that her leaving the home, and whatever happened to her are two separate issues.

 

[T rex]

I have (on more than one occasion) rear ended somebody's car while attempting to stop in the rain. It's called hydroplaning, which is what happens when your tires drive over wet pavement or standing water and lose contact with the road surface, resulting in a loss of traction and an inability to steer the car.

I think it's possible the Dedmond daughter was driving, saw Asha, actually wanted to stop and help, but because of the wet road she ended up sliding directly into Asha and could not stop.

Again, this is all my opinion but I have a hard time thinking this is a case of grooming when the Dedmon's daugther's DNA is on that book bag. Most predators act alone, keep the secret to their grave or until they are caught. They would not involve their teenage daugther or spouse. And they wouldn't ask a victim to trek along a highway at 3 AM. Too risky and doesn't make sense.

There's also a lot of red herrings in this case including
1. The sleepover. I keep seeing this cited as a potential clue to the case, and I really just don't see it. I'm not attempting to offend anyone here, but I'm black and I can tell some of y'all aren't familiar with the black family dynamic in small towns. The majority of black families in the south are large and tight knit. Lots of cousins in neighboring towns. In my town, if you're black, there's a greater than 90% chance that either I know you and your relatives, or I AM a relative. Sleepovers and extended stays at one another's homes are extremely, extremely common. I don't consider it the least bit strange that Asha was attending one of these, it was probably a very regular occurance.

2. The basketball game. I don't think this has any bearing at all.

3. Why she left the house. Puzzling? Yes. Strange? For sure. But Asha was 9. There's really no telling why she left and we don't have any good evidence of grooming or that she was coaxed to leave by someone. I think at this point it's possible and maybe even likely that her leaving the home, and whatever happened to her are two separate issues.

It's just my opinion but it's based on a couple of facts.
1) Asha was walking in the opposite direction of her school.
2)Asha was walking in the opposite direction of her school in the hours just before school started.
So I believe Asha did not want to go to school l. I can only speculate as to why.
Many of the things we have heard and discussed have to be red herrings because all of them can't be true at the same time but that doesn't mean they are all red herrings. I've always said if it had to do with the basketball game it probably had to do more with how she acted after the game. And if it had to do with the sleep over it was probably people giving her a hard time about something (like how she acted after the game). Sometimes kids can be cruel. Or maybe it had something to do with a boy, lets not forget it was Valentines Day. As you said Asha was 9 so it's hard to tell.
I don't like the sleepwalking theory because there doesn't seem to be any history of it and I think the grooming theory relies mostly on Asha's mother saying she was getting money from an unknown source.
I suppose an accident with a car is not a bad theory but I also wonder about the patients that this girl was transporting. Could there have been a patient that the daughter looked up to, that had some kind of influence over her? And then there's the fact that it was broadcasted out over a radio channel. I don't know but hopefully in the near future we will.

 

[HockeyMom330]

I have (on more than one occasion) rear ended somebody's car while attempting to stop in the rain. It's called hydroplaning, which is what happens when your tires drive over wet pavement or standing water and lose contact with the road surface, resulting in a loss of traction and an inability to steer the car.

I think it's possible the Dedmond daughter was driving, saw Asha, actually wanted to stop and help, but because of the wet road she ended up sliding directly into Asha and could not stop.

Again, this is all my opinion but I have a hard time thinking this is a case of grooming when the Dedmon's daugther's DNA is on that book bag. Most predators act alone, keep the secret to their grave or until they are caught. They would not involve their teenage daugther or spouse. And they wouldn't ask a victim to trek along a highway at 3 AM. Too risky and doesn't make sense.

There's also a lot of red herrings in this case including
1. The sleepover. I keep seeing this cited as a potential clue to the case, and I really just don't see it. I'm not attempting to offend anyone here, but I'm black and I can tell some of y'all aren't familiar with the black family dynamic in small towns. The majority of black families in the south are large and tight knit. Lots of cousins in neighboring towns. In my town, if you're black, there's a greater than 90% chance that either I know you and your relatives, or I AM a relative. Sleepovers and extended stays at one another's homes are extremely, extremely common. I don't consider it the least bit strange that Asha was attending one of these, it was probably a very regular occurance.

2. The basketball game. I don't think this has any bearing at all.

3. Why she left the house. Puzzling? Yes. Strange? For sure. But Asha was 9. There's really no telling why she left and we don't have any good evidence of grooming or that she was coaxed to leave by someone. I think at this point it's possible and maybe even likely that her leaving the home, and whatever happened to her are two separate issues.

I only think the sleepover and basketball game are (indirectly) relevant if the reason Asha left her home was due to sleepwalking. Sleepwalking can be triggered by stress (Asha was upset about losing the game) as well as by being overtired (which is common after sleepovers). Although she may have no history of sleepwalking, she is in the age range (preteens) where it is most typical. People who sleepwalk can do routine things, like get dressed and leave the house (as Asha apparently did).

 

[katikaboom]

Just adding my two cents, regarding the accident theory, the weather definitely plays into this being a possibility as well… I just wonder what made her leave the house in the first place. I just don’t buy into the sleepwalking theory, especially in the rain.IMO MOO

I've wondered if she was going to a gas station to get milk or something for the family to eat for breakfast since the power was out. Imo moo

 

[Aurora90]

I am hopeful the lack of updates is a good thing.

So many of us are patiently awaiting closure and praying that we can finally put Asha to rest (and whoever involved held accountable).

I am sure no one is feeling this more than her family, and also the detectives who have worked really hard on this.

I hope that by Christmas, Asha finally comes home.

 

[Aurora90]

I hope that by Christmas, Asha finally comes home.

Or maybe closer to the anniversary of her disappearance?

 

[Aurora90]

re-watching the press conference with the lawyer got me thinking. He stated something to the effect of “when everything comes out you’ll find that all the evidence points to a third party who is unfortunately deceased” I’m guessing this was Underhill that he was referring to.

Leading me to believe they are of the opinion/defence that Underhill was the driver and thr daughter wasn’t because of her age (even though the opposite is believed to be true)

Ok fine let’s say that’s true. the warrant suggests that there is evidence that his children knew what happened to her and also likely told their parents, who then helped cover it up.

And then kept silent while the Degree family wondered what happened to their daughter for 24 years?

Now I don’t know what happens in cases where adult perpetrators are finally identified and tried for crimes that occurred when they would have been young offenders. Nor do I know the extent to which anyone else in that family can be held accountable.

But if the police find adequate evidence, get Asha back to her family and place the perpetrators/conspirators behind bars.

That would be a great way to give her family closure for the upcoming 25th anniversary of her disappearance.

 

[Aurora90]

He was a Vietnam veteran and seemed to have substance use issues - he was only 56 when he passed. Has his autopsy report been posted here yet? He said he thought someone was trying to kill him before he died and he was found with no injuries but blood coming out of his nose.

I am inclined to think that Underhill's DNA was trace DNA

Not sure if it's been shared, already, if so forgive me, or if it has any connection but I do find it interesting the article states the facility was criticized by a citizen advisory group and country officials for allegations about poor supervision of residents.

North Brook Rest Home Arson. Roy Lee Dedmon

Clipping found in The Charlotte Observer published in Charlotte, North Carolina on 3/26/1999. North Brook Rest Home Arson. Roy Lee Dedmon

www.newspapers.com

I seen to recall that some blood coming from the nose is a symptom of a few things. Head trauma, A naturally occurring stroke or a stroke brought on via suffocation.

IIRC, Honey Sherman was found in the same condition.

Was there ever any confirmation or rebuttal regarding the rumour of a deathbed confession?

Not trying to get conspiratorial but it’s like that common saying. The only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead. He’s the only one not connected by blood.

And seeing as they got away with homicide before…

Just trying to keep an open mind to all possibilities until further information comes out. We see cases on here every day *cough* Lori Vallow *cough* that remind us that truly anything is possible.

 

[Queen of the Winter Night]

Hello. I would like to take this time to appreciate everyone who gave the family respect all these years. Law enforcement has said they were cleared of suspicion for a long time, but there were many who did not respect this declaration. This is a great example of a case where LE held a lot close to the chest for very good reasons, and we in the public are not privy to much. A lot of progress and work has been going on in this case behind the scenes.

 

[Megsc]

Any update ?;

 

[lightofmine99]

Things have become rather quiet about this but I suppose it's not unexpected.

 

[Aurora90]

3 weeks until the 25th anniversary of Asha's disappearance. I really hope this case is progressing along nicely.

Thinking of Asha and her family. <3

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Asha Degree prayer walk to mark 25 years since girl’s Cleveland County disappearance

Community event happening Saturday, Feb. 7

www.wbtv.com

*****
The community was invited to participate in a prayer walk for Degree at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. The event will take place at Mulls Memorial Baptist Church in Shelby.

The prayer walk is an annual event that’s held around the date Degree went missing, officials said.

*****
Asha Degree time-lapsed photos. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A week before the 25-year anniversary of Asha’s disappearance, her mother, father and brother walk the same steps authorities believe the 9-year-old took in 2000. They’re joined by more than 50 others.

“At least this year, we know a little bit more than we knew 24 years ago,” said Iquilla Degree, Asha’s mother, to the crowd

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article300055954.html

 

[sunflowermomma]

This poor family. Praying 2025 is the year they get real answers.

 

[fidgeypie]

This poor family. Praying 2025 is the year they get real answers.

I hope that the fact that things have gone quiet again is a good sign

 

[Sweetluv]

FEB 14, 2000..thinking of Asha

 

[Vern]

25 Years.

 

[NCnancydee]

Hopefully justice will be coming soon.New Asha Degree warrants: Text messages revealed, possible admission of fault, more