The person at the center of this case
Asha Jaquilla Degree
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
26 years waiting · since 2000
ASHA JAQUILLA DEGREE
Justice for Asha Jaquilla Degree — the trail went cold in 2000, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
⏰
timeline
Lead #1Why was a 9-year-old child walking alone on a highway at 4:00 am, and did she leave voluntarily or was she taken?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What does the buried book bag location in Burke County reveal about the direction Asha was taken or traveled?
👁️
witness
Lead #3Have all drivers who reported seeing Asha on Highway 18 been thoroughly interviewed about vehicle descriptions or other details?
Asha Jaquilla Degree, a 9-year-old girl, disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina on February 14, 2000, after being seen walking along North Carolina Highway 18 at 4:00 am. Her book bag was discovered buried along the same highway in Burke County more than a year later, suggesting foul play. The case remains unsolved after over two decades, with the FBI offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Case
#265
FBI Charlotte, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4What was the condition of the book bag when discovered, and did it contain any evidence linking to a specific person or location?
🎯
suspect
Lead #5Are there any known individuals with connections to both the sighting location and the book bag burial site?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
February 14, 2000 Shelby, North Carolina Asha Jaquilla Degree has been missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, since February 14, 2000. Family members last saw her asleep in her bedroom at approximately 2:30 am.
At 4:00 am, she was seen by drivers walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby, North Carolina. She was reported missing by her parents by 6:30 am.
More than a year later, Asha's book bag was discovered buried along North Carolina 18 in Burke County. FBI Charlotte is investigating in partnership with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2000-02-14
02:30Last seen by family
Asha was asleep in her bedroom at approximately 2:30 am on February 14, 2000
👥
2000-02-14
04:00Sighted walking on Highway 18
Drivers reported seeing Asha walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby at 4:00 am
👤
2000-02-14
06:30Reported missing
Parents reported Asha missing by 6:30 am
📋
2001-02-14
Book bag discovered
More than a year after disappearance, Asha's book bag was found buried along North Carolina 18 in Burke County
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:February 14, 2000 at 2:30 AM
Last Updated:October 21, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:February 14, 2000 at 2:30 AM
Last Updated:October 21, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case