Cleveland County Valentine

Episode 0: Hidden Layers

From its diverse community and rich traditions to the challenges lurking beneath its idyllic surface, this episode unravels the intricate tapestry of a small town on the cusp of an event that would forever change its narrative.

Episode 1: Leading Up to the Unknown - February 10th

In this episode, we take a close look at the events leading up to Asha's disappearance. We explore her final days, including her school life, interactions with her best friend, and a poem she wrote just weeks before she went missing. We’ll also discuss the larger context of Shelby and Cleveland County at the time—marked by economic instability, a growing drug crisis, and the tension simmering beneath the surface of a small-town community on the brink of the unthinkable.

Episode 2: The Last Game

A cold Saturday in February 2000 unfolds through detailed accounts of Asha Degree’s final basketball game, from her frustration on the court to an evening with cousins.

Episode 3: The Calm Before Midnight

Pris dives into Sunday, February 13, 2000-a day of family comforts, and a church gathering, as a storm brews and nightfall descends.

Episode 4: Memory & Mystery

Marilyn Ward, executive director of Houston-based National Missing Children's Center, said "The longer a child is missing, the greater the chances are that false rumors will get started. This can torment family members and frustrate law enforcement." Special thanks to Dr. Brian Cutler. Contains interview excerpts from Disturbia.

Episode 6: Public Image and Private Truth

Award-winning criminologist, former investigator, and volunteer for cold cases of missing persons, Judith A. Yates, author of How to Recognize the Devil and The Devil You Know, delves into the dynamics between public perceptions and hidden truths in the case of Asha Degree. 
www.JudithAYates.com

Episode 7: Conflicting Clues

In this episode, we examine the strange discoveries and contradictions that begin to surface. From misplaced belongings to shifting narratives about reward money and theories about her disappearance, the details don’t always add up.
Sources:
The Charlotte Observer
Shelby Star
News Nation
 

Episode 8: The Runaway, The Bookbag, and The Abduction

18 months after Asha Degree disappeared, a contractor stumbled upon her bookbag, miles away from where she was last seen. This episode unpacks the details surrounding its discovery, the rumors that followed,and why the response to Asha's case differed so drastically from other missing children in the area. If you have information about Asha's case or would like to be featured as guest, please contact us: trueadvocateinc@gmail.com.
Sources:
Shelby Star
Charlotte Observer
Boston Globe
USA Today

Episode 10: Call to Action: When the Night Takes a Child

In Episode 10, we cover the September 2024 developments in Asha Degree’s case and speak with Shari Doherty of Child Find of America about runaway youth and the urgent need for awareness.