The person at the center of this case
Asha Jaquilla Degree
Missing Person · Open
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
👁️
witness
Lead #1What did the drivers who saw Asha at 4:00 am on Highway 18 observe about her condition, direction of travel, or any vehicles in the area?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2How was Asha's book bag buried along Highway 18, and what forensic evidence was recovered from it?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3Why would a 9-year-old leave her home at approximately 2:30-4:00 am, and was she leaving voluntarily or taken?
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 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. Despite decades of investigation by the FBI, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, her fate remains unknown and a $50,000 reward remains active for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
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 #4Were there any vehicles or individuals reported in the Highway 18 area during the early morning hours of February 14, 2000?
📍
location
Lead #5What is the significance of the distance between the sighting location on Highway 18 and the book bag discovery site in Burke County?
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 asleep in bedroom
Family members last saw Asha asleep in her bedroom at approximately 2:30 am on February 14, 2000
👥
2000-02-14
04:00Sighted walking on Highway 18
Multiple 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 on February 14, 2000
📋
2001-02-14
Book bag discovered
More than a year later, Asha's book bag was discovered buried along North Carolina Highway 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:June 7, 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:June 7, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case