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The Disappearance of Asha Jaquilla Degree

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Asha Jaquilla Degree

The Disappearance of Asha Jaquilla Degree

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In the year 2000, Asha and her family resided within a dwelling situated on Oakcrest Street in the town of Shelby, located in North Carolina. Her residence was last witnessed around the early hours of 2:30 in the morning on the 14th of February, 2000. At that precise time, Asha’s father retired to rest, and he later recounted to the authorities that upon checking on his daughter, she was comfortably slumbering in her bed.

Sharing a room with Asha, her elder sibling divulged hearing faint sounds during the early hours, surmising that his sister might have been restlessly shifting in her sleep. As the clock struck 6:30 a.m., Asha’s mother entered her room with the intention of rousing her children for school. However, upon entering, she discovered that Asha was conspicuously absent from her sleeping quarters. The family promptly notified the police, who embarked upon a comprehensive search of the vicinity. Regrettably, their efforts yielded no positive outcomes, and Asha’s whereabouts remained an enigma. Subsequently, communication with Asha ceased entirely.

Between the hours of 3:30 and 4:15 a.m., two truck drivers recounted witnessing her traversing southward along Highway 18, situated north of Shelby. It is believed that Asha was in proximity to the intersection of Highway 180 at the time, which was approximately a mile distant from her domicile. In this instance, she veered away from the thoroughfare, disappearing into the shadows. This juncture marked the final verified sighting of the young girl.

On the evening she was last observed, there is a possibility that Asha was observed entering a vehicle of a deep green hue harking back to the early 1970s. This vehicle is conjectured to have been either a Lincoln Mark IV or a Ford Thunderbird, as suggested by the corrosion evident around the wheel arches. Visual depictions of automobiles resembling these models are available in this case’s overview.

Detectives surmise that Asha’s departure from her abode was self-initiated. Described as a reticent and introverted individual excelling in her studies, Asha enjoyed a contented home life. The motives behind her departure remain obscure. The day prior to her vanishing, her basketball team suffered a defeat, a circumstance which initially affected her mood negatively but subsequently improved over the course of a few hours.

During the month of February in the year 2000, Asha’s fourth-grade class at Fallston Elementary School engaged in reading Sid Fleischman’s literary work, “The Whipping Boy.” This narrative revolves around a prince and a commoner who takes on the prince’s punishments. The narrative follows their escapades subsequent to their escape, culminating in their triumphant return to the kingdom. It remains uncertain whether this literary exploration influenced Asha’s mysterious disappearance.

Asha’s ebony book bag and her black Tweety Bird purse were conspicuously absent from her quarters subsequent to her vanishing. Similarly, a pair of blue jeans embellished with a red stripe, black sneakers, a long-sleeved white shirt adorned with purple lettering, a red vest accentuated by black trim, black overalls featuring Tweety Bird motifs, and a long-sleeved black and white shirt were also unaccounted for. All entrances to the residence were secured, and Asha’s house key was contained within her book bag.

On the 17th of February, 2000, a mere three days after Asha’s disappearance, her pencil, marker, and Mickey Mouse hair bow were discovered resting on the threshold of a tool shed at Turner’s Upholstery along Highway 18. These belongings were located in close proximity to the section of the road where Asha had been spotted early on the 14th of February. Despite a thorough search of the area, no novel pieces of evidence were unearthed. Notably, these items were located over a mile distant from Asha’s residence.

In August of 2001, eighteen months following her last confirmed sighting, a contractor stumbled upon Asha’s book bag concealed alongside Highway 18. This bag bore her name and phone number inscribed upon it. Encased within double layers of black refuse bags, the bag was situated more than 26 miles away from her familial abode and in a direction divergent from her presumed path. Close by, animal remains and a pair of khaki trousers designed for men were also uncovered.

The bag was subsequently subjected to analysis at a federal laboratory, the findings of which were withheld from the public due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. Reports, albeit unverified, allude to the bag containing clothing, a pencil case, and a note featuring Asha’s name. In October of the same year, a refuse bag resembling the one in which Asha’s belongings were wrapped was discovered. This bag was conveyed to a police laboratory for meticulous examination.

Following the retrieval of the book bag, investigators pivoted to a belief that Asha’s disappearance was likely linked to criminal activity, implicating foul play. This revelation prompted a thorough scouring of the area, although it yielded no fresh evidence, according to available reports. Enclosed within this case summary, a depiction of some of Asha’s personal effects is included.

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About Fehmeeda Farid Khan

A freelancer, blogger, content writer, translator, tour consultant, proofreader, environmentalist, social mobilizer, poetess and novelist. As a physically challenged person, she extends advocacy on disability related issues. She's masters in Economics and Linguistics along with B.Ed.

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