Shelby, North Carolina, February 14, 2026
A North Carolina Congresswoman has issued a public appeal in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Asha Degree, who vanished from her home 26 years ago. As the community remembers ‘Shelby’s Sweetheart’, law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward. Recently uncovered evidence and renewed investigation efforts provide hope in solving this enduring mystery. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000, complemented by additional funds from the state, totaling $100,000, to encourage public cooperation.
Shelby
Urgent Public Appeal Issued 26 Years After Asha Degree’s Disappearance
Shelby, North Carolina – A North Carolina Congresswoman has recently urged the public for assistance in the 26-year search for Asha Degree, who vanished from her family’s home in Shelby on February 14, 2000. This renewed call to action emphasizes the enduring mystery surrounding the disappearance of the then 9-year-old girl, often referred to as ‘Shelby’s Sweetheart’. Law enforcement agencies continue to actively investigate the case, appealing to anyone with even the slightest piece of information to come forward. The 26th anniversary of Asha’s disappearance marks a critical moment for renewed public engagement, with hopes that fresh leads could finally bring resolution to a community that has never forgotten her.
The Night Asha Vanished
Asha Degree was last seen by her family sleeping in her bed on the evening of February 13, 2000. In the early hours of Valentine’s Day, between approximately 2:30 AM and 4:30 AM, she reportedly left her bed, taking a packed bookbag, and walked out of her home into a severe thunderstorm. Her parents discovered her missing later that morning, around 6:30 AM. The initial search efforts quickly escalated due to the unusual circumstances. Several motorists reported seeing a young girl matching Asha’s description walking along Highway 18 in Shelby, near her home, during the inclement weather. One driver even attempted to approach her, but she reportedly left the roadside and ran into a wooded area. These sightings are crucial as they are among the last verified observations of Asha before she disappeared without a trace.
A Critical Discovery
The investigation yielded a significant, albeit perplexing, piece of evidence over a year after her disappearance. In August 2001, Asha’s backpack was discovered by a construction worker in Burke County, North Carolina, approximately 20 to 30 miles north of Shelby. The backpack was found wrapped in two black trash bags and buried along a wooded path off Highway 18. Inside, investigators confirmed the presence of her clothes, a copy of Dr. Seuss’s “McElligot’s Pool,” and a T-shirt depicting the band New Kids on the Block. Neither the book nor the T-shirt appeared to have been her property prior to being found in her bag, with the book originating from her elementary school library but not checked out by her. This discovery deepened the mystery rather than providing immediate answers, as it raised questions about how the backpack ended up so far from her home and why it was concealed. The location and manner of the backpack’s discovery further suggested that her disappearance might involve more than just a simple runaway scenario.
A Unified Investigative Effort and New Leads
The search for Asha Degree has involved a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. Their combined resources and expertise have been crucial in pursuing various leads, conducting forensic analyses, and interviewing countless individuals over more than two decades. Despite the passage of time, the case remains an active investigation, with detectives committed to uncovering the truth. Recent developments include search warrants executed in September 2024 at multiple properties in Cleveland, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties, based on physical evidence directly connected to Asha’s disappearance. Investigators believe Asha is a victim of homicide and that her body has been concealed. DNA evidence from a hair sample found on Asha’s undershirt linked to a daughter of Roy and Connie Dedmon, who were identified as suspects in search warrants released in 2024. A green 1964 AMC Rambler was among the items seized during a search, confirming its relevance to the case, although the Dedmon family spokesperson stated they did not own the vehicle at the time of Asha’s disappearance.
The Enduring Hope for ‘Shelby’s Sweetheart’
The community of Shelby and the Degree family have held onto hope for Asha’s return for 26 years. Her story resonated deeply, earning her the moniker ‘Shelby’s Sweetheart’ and symbolizing the profound impact her absence has had on the town. The recent appeal by the North Carolina Congresswoman serves as a powerful reminder that the case is far from forgotten and that public assistance is still vitally important. Authorities believe that someone, somewhere, possesses information that could be key to solving this enduring mystery. Even details that might seem insignificant to an individual could be the missing piece for investigators. The message from officials is clear: no tip is too small, and every piece of information is valuable in their relentless pursuit of answers.
The FBI has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Asha’s disappearance. The State of North Carolina has also offered an additional reward, bringing the total potential reward to $100,000 for information that helps bring Degree home. This substantial reward reflects the seriousness with which this case is treated and the determination to resolve it. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4822 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. The hope remains that with continued vigilance and public cooperation, Asha Degree can finally be brought home, bringing closure to her family and community after more than a quarter-century.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Asha Degree disappear?
- Asha Degree disappeared on February 14, 2000.
- How old was Asha Degree when she went missing?
- Asha Degree was 9 years old when she went missing.
- Where did Asha Degree disappear from?
- Asha Degree disappeared from her family’s home in Shelby, North Carolina.
- What were the circumstances of her disappearance?
- She reportedly left her bed and walked out of her home in the early hours of February 14, 2000, during a severe thunderstorm.
- Was any significant evidence found?
- Yes, in August 2001, Asha’s backpack was discovered buried in Burke County, North Carolina, approximately 20 to 30 miles north of Shelby. It contained her clothes, a copy of Dr. Seuss’s “McElligot’s Pool,” and a T-shirt depicting the band New Kids on the Block.
- Which agencies are investigating the case?
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office are actively investigating the case.
- Is there a reward for information?
- Yes, there is a total potential reward of $100,000 for information that helps bring Degree home. The FBI has offered up to $25,000, and the State of North Carolina has offered an additional reward.
Key Details of Asha Degree’s Disappearance
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Name of Missing Person | Asha Degree | State-level |
| Age at Disappearance | 9 years old | State-level |
| Date of Disappearance | February 14, 2000 | State-level |
| Location of Disappearance | Shelby, North Carolina | State-level |
| Circumstances | Left home during a severe thunderstorm in the early morning hours | State-level |
| Key Evidence Found | Backpack containing clothes, a Dr. Seuss book, and a New Kids on the Block T-shirt, found buried in Burke County, NC | State-level |
| Investigating Agencies | FBI (Nationwide), SBI (State-level), Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (Local) | Nationwide, State-level |
| Total Reward for Information | Up to $100,000 (FBI: $25,000, State of NC: additional reward) | Nationwide, State-level |
| Known As | ‘Shelby’s Sweetheart’ | State-level |
| Current Status | Active investigation, believed to be a homicide victim, body concealed | State-level |
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