Case File: Asha Jaquilla Degree

Asha Jaquilla Degree went missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, during the early morning hours of February 14, 2000. Asha’s father has stated he last saw her asleep in her bedroom at approximately 12:30 am.

Around 4:00 am, she was reportedly seen by drivers walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby, North Carolina. Her father placed a 911 call and reported her missing at 6:39 that morning.

Over a year later, Asha's book bag was discovered buried along North Carolina 18 in Burke County.

The investigating agencies are the FBI (Charlotte field office) in partnership with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

On September 10th, 2024 multiple law enforcement agencies began a search of multiple locations in Cleveland County. Search warrants confirm that authorities believe Asha Degree is a victim of homicide and that her body was concealed. Roy Lee Dedmon and Connie Dedmon are suspected of assisting with the concealment of the crime.

A search warrant for Roy Lee Dedmon’s iPhone was executed in February 2025.

YTCL is closely following the developments in the case.

A new timeline has been published, covering the days before Asha’s disappearance up to February 14, 2025. There is now a $75,000 reward for information in this case.

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