When nine-year-old Asha Degree vanished on Valentine’s Day in 2000, it devastated her family and small town of Shelby, North Carolina. After years of little to no new information, the case has broken wide open and authorities may be closer than ever to solving what they are now saying is a murder. Ashley and Brit originally covered Asha’s case for Crime Junkie in 2019, but with all the new information that’s come out in February 2025, Ashley asked investigative journalist and North Carolina native Delia D’Ambra to join her to dive into the case with a fresh perspective. Listen to Ashley and Brit’s original episode, MISSING: Asha Degree, wherever you get your podcasts! For a full list of sources, please visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/update-asha-degree/ Asha Jaquilla Degree, a 9-year-old girl from Shelby, North Carolina, disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the early morning hours of February 14, 2000. After packing a bookbag and leaving her home during a storm, Asha was seen walking along Highway 18 before running into the woods when a motorist tried to approach her. Despite an extensive search and ongoing investigations led by the FBI, Asha has never been found. The case, initially thought to be a runaway situation, has since evolved into a homicide investigation with several theories and leads, including possible abduction. This tragic story continues to haunt her family, including her parents, Harold and Iquilla Degree, who have worked tirelessly to keep the search alive through annual walks and public appeals. Discover the chilling details of Asha’s disappearance and the relentless search for answers. For even more stories like this one, join the Crime Junkie Fan Club today: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=episode_description&utm_campaign=signupfanclub Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrimeJunkiePod Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers. About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families. Follow Ashley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ASHLEYFLOWERS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ash_flowers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyflowerscrimejunkie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyflowers.af/ Check out these other great crime channels: @CoffeehouseCrime From Playboy Influencer to Murder and Lies | The Case of Kelsey Turner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZL9iuZ-EEc @48hours Lady in the Pool | Full Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZF4ZBsx-ac @LawAndCrime Parents Killed Baby Girl Then Begged For a Meal Train: Cops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJW5vP7Yqns @redtreestories Jealous Ex-Girlfriend Realizes The Police Know She Is The Killer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWHVtz21OxI