The Unsolved Disappearance of Asha Degree: A Haunting Mystery

On a stormy Valentine's Day night in 2000, nine-year-old Asha Degree vanished from her Shelby, North Carolina home. The events surrounding her disappearance have captivated and perplexed the public for over two decades, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and lingering uncertainty.

A Night of Change

Asha, described as a shy and well-behaved child, shared a bedroom with her older brother. On the night of February 13th, a power outage caused by a car accident disrupted the Degree household around 2:30 AM. After the power returned, Asha's parents checked on the children, finding both asleep. However, between 6:30 and 6:45 AM, when Asha's mother went to wake them, the little girl was nowhere to be seen.

Sightings and a Chilling Discovery

Despite a heavy downpour and strong winds, Asha had left her home carrying a small backpack. Several motorists reported seeing a child matching Asha's description walking along Highway 18. One driver, who turned his vehicle around to check on her, reported seeing the girl run into the woods bordering the road.

A year and a half later, Asha's backpack was unearthed during a construction project along Highway 18, roughly 26 miles from her home. Inside the bag were some of her belongings and a library book, which reignited investigation efforts.

Theories and Ongoing Investigation