Crime Junkie - What Happened to Asha Degree? Uncovering the Details of Her Disappearance
Asha Degree disappeared on Valentine's Day in 2000 from her home in Shelby, North Carolina. Despite extensive searches, her whereabouts remain unknown. Recent developments in 2024 and 2025 have brought new attention to the case. Authorities have focused on a local family, the Deadmans, after DNA evidence linked them to Asha's belongings. A green car, possibly involved in her disappearance, was seized from their property. Text messages between family members suggest they may have obstructed justice or been involved in a cover-up. A witness, Thad Melanin, reported hearing a confession at a party years ago, adding to suspicions. Despite these leads, no arrests have been made, and Asha's family continues to hope for her return.
Key Points:
- Asha Degree disappeared in 2000; her case remains unsolved.
- Recent investigations focus on the Deadman family due to DNA links.
- A green car, possibly involved, was seized from the Deadmans' property.
- Text messages suggest potential obstruction of justice by the family.
- A witness reported a confession at a party, adding to suspicions.
Details:
1. 🔍 Introduction to Asha Degree's Case
- Asha Degree disappeared in North Carolina, becoming one of the state's most notorious missing person cases, drawing significant public and media attention.
- In 2025, a green car is identified as a critical piece of evidence, suggesting new developments in the investigation that could be pivotal in solving the case.
- Questions arise about the timing of information release, indicating possible missed investigative opportunities or delays that could have impacted the case's progress.
- Public interest remains high, with ongoing scrutiny of the case's handling and the search for resolution continuing to engage the community.
2. 👥 Special Guest Appearance
- The episode features Ashley Flowers as the host, with a special guest appearance by Delia D'Ambra, a resident expert in North Carolina cold cases.
- Delia D'Ambra is introduced as the host of 'Counterclock' and 'Park Predators', bringing expertise on North Carolina cases.
- The discussion transitions to focus on updates in cold cases, particularly North Carolina's infamous Disappearance of Asha Degree.
3. 👧 Disappearance of Asha Degree
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Family Details
3.3. Location
3.4. Activities on February 13th
3.5. Evening Routine
3.6. Altered Routine
3.7. Night Check
3.8. Morning Discovery
3.9. Initial Search
3.10. Police Involvement
4. 🕵️ Investigation and Early Leads
4.1. Initial Investigation
4.2. Eyewitness Accounts and Discoveries
5. 🚗 Discovery of Belongings and Green Car Lead
- Investigators found candy wrappers in a shed that matched the candy Asia had for Valentine's Day. Although this finding did not lead to new information about her whereabouts, it was a notable discovery during the investigation.
- In August 2001, a contractor unearthed a black trash bag containing another bag with a child's backpack labeled with Asia's name and phone number. This discovery was located 50 yards from Highway 18 in Burke County, over 25 miles from Asia's home.
- Inside the backpack were a Dr. Seuss book from Asia's school library and a New Kids on the Block concert T-shirt, providing key items for forensic analysis.
- The Sheriff's Office sent the backpack and its contents to the FBI for forensic examination. Although the results of the analysis were not released to the public until 2003, this marked a significant step in the investigation.
6. 🔍 Renewed Investigations and DNA Findings
6.1. FBI's 2016 Car Sighting Revelation
6.2. 2024 Investigations and DNA Discoveries
7. 🏠 Family Ties and Suspicion
- Roy Deadmond has 29 different vehicles registered in his name, of which three are green, including a 1964 AMC Rambler that was linked to his middle daughter, Sarah, in her teenage years.
- The 1964 AMC Rambler, which matches descriptions of vehicles seen in connection to Asia's disappearance, was parked at a property rented out by Roy, where investigators discovered that several rooms were padlocked, raising suspicions about the property's use.
- A woman related to Roy, Laura Deadmond, reported seeing Roy dig a chest-deep hole on the property after 2016, which could suggest suspicious activity or concealment.
- Authorities have shifted their perspective on Asia's case, now considering it a homicide rather than a missing person case, although no human remains were found on any Deadmond properties.
- Fresh DNA samples of Roy, Connie, and Anna were collected by authorities, which may be pivotal in advancing the investigation.
- The investigation is actively pursuing new leads based on the DNA samples and the suspicious activities noted at the properties.
- Information about the vehicles and properties, including the padlocked rooms, is being thoroughly examined to uncover any potential links to Asia's case.
- Authorities are focusing on the timeline of events and the movements of the green vehicles, particularly the 1964 AMC Rambler, to corroborate any connections to the incident.
8. 📱 Suspicious Communications
8.1. Attorney's Statements and Family's Denial
8.2. Execution of Search Warrants
8.3. Analysis of Communications
9. 🎙️ Testimonies and Theories
9.1. Communication Patterns and Suspicious Behavior
9.2. Responses to Law Enforcement
9.3. Accident and Cover-up Theories
9.4. Testimonies and Investigation Developments
10. 🙏 Family's Hope and Ongoing Appeal
- The case continues to evolve daily with the possibility of new updates or arrests occurring at any moment.
- Asia's family has been waiting for 25 years to learn the truth about her disappearance.
- Asia's mother, Iquila, maintains hope that her daughter is still alive, stating, "I believe she is still alive and until somebody can prove me wrong I'm still going to believe that because I have hope."
- Anyone with information about Asia Degree's disappearance is urged to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4774.