Reward money in the Asha Degree missing person case just got a lot higher.
Monday, the FBI says it is contributing $25,000 dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person behind Degree’s disappearance, which happened 15 years ago this month.
The total is now $45,000 when you add reward money offered from other agencies.
The FBI also announced it is re-testing evidence, hoping new technology provides new clues.
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Agents handed out new Asha Degree missing person and reward flyers along N.C. 18 from Gaffney to Morganton Monday morning hoping it will spark someone with information to talk.
The 9-year-old from Shelby walked away from the family home in the middle of the night on February 14, 2000. Her last confirmed sighting was along the highway close to home by two people driving early that morning.
Hundreds of people helped in the search, which led to finding some of Asha’s pencils in a nearby barn.
Construction crews found her book bag buried in the dirt 18 months later about 20 miles from home.
No one has been arrested or charged.
Investigators aren’t saying if they ever had a solid suspect.
They aren’t saying what evidence they are re-testing, just that improvements in lab technology could yield new clues.
Investigators say it is a solvable case. Fresh eyes are giving the case a full review.
“There are several pieces of the puzzle we need to connect to make it complete,” said Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman. “Hopefully one day there will be closure for the family and the community.”
“I hope so, but I have my doubts,” said neighbor Dianne Brackett. “Because it’s just been so long.”
A new age progression photo is now up on billboards along I-77 and I-85. The FBI has also posted a podcast about the case.
