CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Investigators say they are “closer than ever” to finding the truth about what happened to Asha Degree who went missing in Cleveland County on Valentine’s Day in 2000.
Authorities credit advancements in technology, specifically in DNA testing, in discovering new leads.
“We were able to acquire court-ordered search warrants, multiple search warrants where we went out and started a phase of the investigation to try to find those answers,” said Cleveland County Investigator Tim Adams.
Retesting DNA found on Asha’s bookbag led to targeted searches on five properties in three counties in September 2024.
The 9-year-old girl was last seen walking along N.C. Highway 18. Witnesses said she ran into the woods when a car stopped nearby.
During the search in Sept. 2024, officials towed away an older model green car, similar to the 1970s Ford Thunderbird or Lincoln Mark IV officials announced they were looking for in connection with the case in 2016.
Warrants show evidence linking multiple people connected to Shelby residents Roy and Connie Dedmon to the case.
The Dedmon’s attorney maintains the couple had nothing to do with Asha’s disappearance.
No arrests have been made in the homicide or cover-up, but Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said they are committed to finding the person or people responsible.
“I can assure you we’re going to work this case all the way to the very end for some type of closure,” said Norman. “Closure not only for the family but for our community and for the sheriff’s office, as long as I’m your sheriff.”
Investigators say as time has changed the tools they work with, it also may have tampered with any fear potential witnesses may have coming forward.
“Now that it’s 25 years later, technology has changed so I’m sure that some of the individuals we’ve talked to, some relationships have changed. They might be in different portions of their life now where they may feel more of an ease to come out and want to give us information,” said Cleveland County Chief Deputy Durwin Briscoe.
Sheriff Norman said it is a matter of time before they have an arrest.
“What I would say to you is, ‘come and knock on our door before we come knock on your door,’” he said.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4822 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information that leads to an arrest may earn a reward of up to $45,000.
