It’s been 23 years since 9-year-old Asha Degree disappeared

SHELBY, N.C. — Tuesday marks 23 years since the day Asha Degree disappeared.

She was last seen walking away from her home near Shelby on Valentine’s Day in 2000. She was just 9 years old.

Channel 9′s Ken Lemon has been following this story since day one. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office are all still investigating the case.

Asha was last seen on Highway 18 north of Shelby -- about a mile away from her home -- 23 years ago Tuesday.

Lemon spoke with her family last month, and they said they are patiently waiting for answers.

Investigators believe Asha was abducted. Her backpack was found in Burke County, about 40 minutes north of where she was last seen.

An investigator only assigned to work on this case is working with the FBI and the SBI to find new clues.

In nearby Fallston, people still remember Valentine’s Day of 2000.

“I think about it every year,” sad resident Nelson Doster.

Chris Parks works in the area.

“Here we are, 20-some years later, and the memory of her disappearance is still strong in this community,” Parks said.

MORE PREVIOUS STORIES:

• ‘I still believe’: 21 years later, Asha Degree’s mom still holds out hope for missing daughter
• ‘I can’t give up on her’: 20 years since Shelby girl vanished
• Authorities release new photos in case of ‘Shelby’s sweetheart’ who vanished 18 years ago
• Wednesday marked 18 years since Asha Degree vanished

At Jan’s Restaurant, there is a wall of business cards, ads for puppies, and one of the original fliers handed out right after Asha was reported missing.

“It’s a reminder,” said employee Sally Lewis.

Lewis clears that board every week but leaves the flier there. She was working at the restaurant in 2000.

“It’s a very sad time because nothing like that had ever happened like this before,” she said.

“For the community, it was a mess,” said resident Ray Warlick.

Years ago, Fallston was draped in yellow ribbons for Asha and prayers for a safe return.

“It really hit home,” Lewis said.

Fallston is still serving up hope their missing sweetheart.

“People do remember, and they are holding on,” Parks said.

A sign that sits where Asha disappeared serves as a reminder that there is still a sizable reward for information that can provide answers for the family, searchers, and investigators who put their hearts and souls into finding Shelby’s sweetheart.

The reward is for $45,000, but finding out what happened to Asha is priceless information for so many people.

If you have information that could help solve this case, call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4788, or the FBI at 704-672-6100.

MORE PREVIOUS STORIES:

• Prayer walk held 17 years after disappearance of Asha Degree
• FBI boosts reward, efforts to find girl missing for 15 years
• ‘Good Morning America’ Profiles Local Girl’s Disappearance
• Family searches for Asha Degree
• Family continues search 14 years after girl’s disappearance

(WATCH PREVIOUS: Asha’s Parents Discuss The Early Days Of The Investigation)

Asha's Parents Discuss The Early Days Of The Investigation Asha's Parents Discuss The Early Days Of The Investigation

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