Missing

Asha Degree

Shelby, North Carolina · Missing since February 14, 2000

Asha Degree
Asha’s photograph at age 9, released by the FBI.

Quick facts

Full nameAsha Jaquilla Degree
Age at disappearance9
Height / weight4′6″ / 60 lbs (at the time)
Hair / eyesBlack hair, brown eyes
Last seenWalking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby, about 4:00 a.m., February 14, 2000
Also missing from her roomHer black bookbag and her black Tweety Bird pocketbook
RewardUp to $50,000 offered by the FBI
Investigating agenciesFBI Charlotte / Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office / NC State Bureau of Investigation
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What happened

Asha Jaquilla Degree has been missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, since February 14, 2000. She was nine years old. Family members last saw her asleep in her bedroom at approximately 2:30 a.m. At about 4:00 a.m., drivers saw her walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby, in the rain. Her parents reported her missing by 6:30 a.m.

More than a year later, Asha’s bookbag was discovered buried along North Carolina 18 in Burke County. Her black pocketbook with Tweety Bird on it was also missing from her room. The FBI describes Asha as 4 feet 6 inches tall and 60 pounds at the time of her disappearance, with black hair and brown eyes.

FBI Charlotte is investigating with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The FBI offers a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.

Asha Degree
Second photograph published by the FBI.
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Have information?

Contact FBI Charlotte:

(704) 672-6100

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Case Files #12

This case is featured in the Case Files series by Autopsyfiles.org — on TikTok and on the Case Files podcast on Spotify.