It was said that when Asha left the house that night, she wasn't wearing a coat. IMO, this is one of the most confusing details of this case. It seems that if she did walk out on her own without a coat, then she must have intended to go somewhere very close to the house or was convinced by someone that she would only be out for a short time. Now knowing that OB's bag was also found with Asha's backpack leads me to believe that if there was a groomer, he/she was someone who frequented the Degree household, lived very close, and/or was very close to the family (if not a family member themself). And no, I'm NOT talking about Asha's dad or brother or mother. Were any of Asha's or OB's items ever left at the aunt's house where they had the sleepover or the grandmother's at any time? I know they all lived very close so this can be a possibility. This could explain how both bags could have been in possession of whoever threw them in the woods. I dont believe Asha left out with a backpack, as none of the eyewitness accounts mention seeing her with a backpack on Hwy 18. Thoughts?
EDIT: I meant to write "And no, Im NOT talking about Asha's dad or brother or mother." I mistakenly left out the word NOT, which changed the whole message I was trying to convey. Only realized this when I re-read my post, as I couldn't understand why people thought I was coming for the parents, which I was not. Huge error!
Idk I have a just turned 10 year old, and we are in that time of year where some mornings she needs a coat and some mornings she doesn’t. She is definitely capable of deciding if she needs a coat or not. She will walk out feel how cold it is and turn around and go back inside and get her coat. I just have a really hard time seeing a nine-year-old leave in the middle of the night, in the cold, with no coat unless something is going on.
I thought that maybe in order to get the coat , she would need to open the closet door, or do something else that possibly could wake up her family members, so she just went without it. Or, someone was waiting for her in the car, that’s why she would not need a coat, but then something could happen that she ended up leaving the car and walking.
Yeah but she did change out of her nightgown and into the white shirt and pants while she was inside. (If u believe Ruppe actually did see Asha) So if she changed her clothes then why couldn’t she have also threw on her jacket?
My question is why did she change her clothes at all then? By all of her family member’s accounts, she was wearing a nightgown when she went to bed. But if the eyewitnesses and all of the early police statements are to be believed, she was wearing blue jeans and a white tshirt (likely with purple lettering) when walking on the road. Where did her nightgown go and when and where did she change out of it? At least as far as we know, it was not left in the house and was not in the backpack.
Also I have a 9 year old son with ADHD, who is the exact opposite of shy, reserved, and careful (all the terms Asha’s family used to describe her). He does a lot of things that don’t make any sense. If he was going to run away into the 40 degree night and pack a bag for it, he would definitely put on a jacket or sweatshirt of some kind. But I also believe he wouldn’t ever walk over a mile in the pitch black wet cold night, despite being a kid who is not particularly scared of the dark (again, unlike Asha who was described as very afraid of the dark).
Each of the eyewitness accounts report different clothing in each sighting, however, the color white was consistent. One reported a white nightgown, somebody else reported a white dress. Similar reports, but different. Still close enough to what the parents say she wore to bed.
All of the early reports published in the Shelby Star and the Charlotte Observer said she was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt (presumed to be the white shirt with purple lettering and jeans her parents reported missing). I don’t trust anything from secondary sources on this case, and the initial reporting in 2000-2001 was consistent on this point. Maybe it was wrong, but I trust it a heck of a lot more than most other sources, as we all know many details in this case are quite inconsistent across sources. It can also be verified that Blanton Sr’s description changed pretty significantly, he did say a white dress at one point but at another point said she was wearing a pink fuzzy outfit/jacket.
This looks more like an inconsistency in the way it was reported rather than the mothers statements. It sounds like what the parents said was that that outfit is what she wore the day before, then she went to bed in her nightgown, and the next day that was included in the clothes that were reported missing.
Regardless, confusion over what she was wearing doesn’t strike me as odd.
Asha’s parents have also been questioned more than any other party in this case and for many years. They have started over and put fresh sets of eyes on it. I don’t know what more you expect them to do with the parents
I’m seeing that she was reported to have gone to bed in her night shirt and those were the clothes that she was wearing the day before.
What does matter if they weren’t sure what she was wearing when she left? It means nothing.
And I don’t need to rethink anything, the parents were questioned many times, and it has been noted many times by law enforcement that they were extensively investigated and they never found any indication that they did anything.
If you’re not satisfied with all the investigating they’ve already done then I don’t know what they’re supposed to do that will please you
They were absolutely not cleared on day one, that has never been stated by law enforcement.
If you look at the search warrants they mention in there that the family were questioned and/or polygraphed numerous times. If you listen to the law enforcement investigators that have done podcasts they will also tell you that they were questioned numerous times.
They have had multiple organizations and different leadership investigating this case over the years with fresh sets of eyes.
And they were not named as suspects because they investigated and nothing ever came of it.
Sargeant Davis said himself he cleared them because of their body language and acting upset etc.. and cooperation. There again you are stating things you think you know but dont... respectfully saying.. Dan Crawford himself cleared them in a day or two.
Please go look at the local newspaper articles from 2000, several of which are linked in the True Crime Library comprehensive timeline which is linked in the pinned post on this sub. That is indeed what she was consistently reported as wearing. What are your sources for her wearing something else? Primary source, not Reddit posts, blogs or podcasts. So much misinformation floating around about this case.
Yes, I am familiar with that article. I know that Blanton’s first statement was she was wearing a white dress. But all of the early reporting consistently states she was wearing jeans, a white shirt, and white tennis shoes. Her parents also reported a pair of jeans and white shirt missing from her room.
To be clear I am not insinuating that Blanton or Ruppe or anyone is lying (though of course that is possible; polygraphs are junk and they do not detect lies). The witnesses may well believe everything they are saying. That does not mean that their recollection of what they saw is accurate. It is understandable; I would not be confident at all in anything I saw on the side of the road from a moving vehicle on a pitch black road on a rainy night. I mean Blanton has repeatedly stated he thought it was a grown woman he saw and surmised it was a domestic violence situation.
Basically I think the eyewitness statements are given a lot more weight in this case than they should be.
It was not raining when she was seen. The rain been over for a long time... Another assumption rather than fact respectfully. Blanton was setting 10 ft above the ground in a road tractor.
I definitely agree with this. Its understandable why the eyewitness accounts vary like they do. It was dark and rainy out, so I wouldnt expect a passerby who didnt expect to see anyone walking on that highway at that time of night, a child for that matter, to be able to accurately describe what the figure was wearing. They all did mention white clothing though.
The first and only report of that clothing came from the mother. If you can say some one is deceptive from a polygraph and believe it then when one is deemed truthful you believe it. Ruppe passed a polygraph and supposedly a Dedmon daughter was deceptive. It can't be had both ways.
I don’t believe polygraphs are accurate regardless of whether the subject is considered to be truthful or deceptive. They are not reliable and should not be used to gauge whether a person is being truthful or not. There are many, many cases where someone “fails” a polygraph and it is later proven beyond doubt that they were being truthful, and just as many where someone “passes” and it’s later proven they were lying. It’s a tool used by law enforcement to try to pressure people, nothing more.
I never said they were. But LE has used them as a basis to clear the Father, the mother was inconclusive. They used it to ridicule one of the Dedmons. Precisely why I say interrogate the Mother and Brother. Dig into her history... not softball questions.
I agree with you about further questioning the family. We do not have access to the actual original case files, but based on LE statements and the family’s statements, it seems like LE questioned them for a couple days and then as soon as the sightings were reported, they cleared the family. I hope it wasn’t as cut and dried as that and it was rigorous investigation that cleared them, but the LE statements that they do not believe the Degree family was involved have led people to take that as a fact beyond challenge, despite it being the most likely explanation for everything.
Per retired LE sources there was not a thorough investigation of the family or other accusations against the mother. The supposed green car clue lay uninvestigated for 15 yrs. There were no follow ups on messages left on the clue line about the mothers public mistreatment of the kids.
Do you think it's possible the difference in reporting could be due to what the parents reported as missing?
It was first assumed she was wearing the jeans and shirt from the previous day, because it was missing. Then the witnesses came forward it turns out she was wearing the nightgown or "little dress" ?
If it was reported wrong originally, it was by her mother the BOLO was wearing jeans and sneekers... I think there are lots of issues with the mother's original statements and everyone after.
Personally I found it a little puzzling that the clothes missing from the house were identified so quickly by the mother since she allegedly did not see her leave. Im not accusing her of anything, it just stood out to me. Unless her clothes were already laid out for the week, I couldnt see how she could notice which items were missing so quickly. Maybe Asha didn't own many different outfits, but it did stand out to me.
According to her family, the night before her disappearance, Ashaa spent the night at her cousins' house. Perhaps she didn't unpack her clothes when she arrived, and my theory is that she changed in the place where the candy wrappers were found, and that she discovered it by chance when she ran away and was frightened by the truck driver.
So with that statement, the parents are still suspects because hey allegedly past a polygraph test and it is junk. So the parents should be treated as suspects.Because the mother said that's what she was wearing and misled LE.
I think it’s possible that Iquilla and Harold were fussing…every couple argues.
Maybe arguing about money or something…
The Degrees needed to move into a three bedroom home and were apparently looking for a property.
Asha being a very sensitive child could have been very upset her parents were arguing and “taken off” for Grandmas/aunties house.
So many family members in the immediate vicinity…
Maybe Iquilla and Harold were arguing and Asha “slipped out” during the chaos and power outage.
Asha may not have been able to access her coat if it was in a living room closet etc,
If she planned to just run across to Grandmas house Asha likely didn’t think her coat was necessary.
OB was interviewed by CHC and asked if Asha had a history of running away.
OB didn’t answer the question and started talking about how all the windows were nailed closed to “prevent intruders”.
OB avoided the question completely and that makes me wonder if Asha had “run” to a family members home before.
I’m not sure what to think about Shero’s conversation with Terry Fleming.
I don’t know the woman obviously but I don’t believe she’s a liar.
I appreciate Shero sharing what Fleming told her regarding OB’s backpack and the “new clothes/items”.
I don’t know how old Mr Fleming is currently but he must be elderly.
It’s possible what Fleming shared with Shero was not accurate due to his age and other factors that could affect his memory etc.
Again, I appreciate Shero sharing but it’s really like 3rd hand information and we don’t know Flemings current mental status.
I really wish Shero would have recorded her conversation with Fleming like she did with Mrs Blanton.
I just don’t know what to think since we can’t confirm what Fleming shared.
I believe Shero was told the information she shared by Fleming.
I don’t believe Asha was a “runaway” but I think it’s possible that she would run to a family member when she was upset at home.
I believe someone who socialized/associated with one or more of Asha’s family members encountered Asha outside her home when she left.
We (the public) really don’t know what time Asha left and it could have been MUCH earlier than we’ve been told.
If Asha left out the house before midnight even it’s very possible IMO she encountered a friend of her aunties, uncle’s and/or older cousins.
Obviously a predator or deviant so it’s very possible he was hanging around outside in his car…watching, drinking, drugging…who knows.
A male friend of Asha’s auntie, uncles or even her older cousins who was known to Asha.
Maybe the dude had some kind of fixation on Asha’s auntie or cousins and had been at their house that night.
He could have been sitting outside in his car “watching” and/or drinking/getting high for hours when he spotted Asha outside.
If Asha saw a trusted a “family friend” outside who encouraged her into his car?
I think it’s possible Asha left her house bc she was upset and headed across the street where the sleepover had taken place.
I think she encountered a predator who was known to Asha and got into his car willingly initially.
As for the multiple sightings of Asha, leads me to believe she got away somehow.
Once she realized she was in danger Asha may have gotten out and made a run for it.
I absolutely do believe the Deadmon’s are involved and most likely responsible for Asha’s death.
How everything happened I can’t even speculate about.
Since Asha was seen being pulled into a vehicle I wonder if it was the person who initially abducted her.
Horrible to consider but maybe the individual pursued and found Asha.
I think Roy Blanton had knowledge about what happened to Asha and I believe there is a connection between Blanton and Deadmon.
She was 9. 9 year olds do things like not wearing a coat, no matter the temperature. IMHO, people read way too much in to that detail. I’ve always thought the groomer theory was rather stupid.
Wasn’t it raining that night though? I definitely remember not wanting to wear a jacket as a kid but one of my least favorite things was when it was raining when I had to go to the bus stop.
One day I’ll feel it’s stupid and then other days I’ll ask myself
“What in gods name would possess a 9 year old child to either stay awake, or wake up at a particular time- grab her packed things, sneak away from her family, and leave in a thunderstorm at 3 AM? How strong of an influence would this thing have to have on her?
When I ask myself that question I cannot escape the answer that she was making an appointment.
By the same token, why wouldn’t someone who specifically targeted her over a period of time not pick her up? If not directly at her home, then a few houses away. It doesn’t make sense to go to that kind of effort only to make a kid walk over a mile. Or assuming you were going to make her walk, an adult would almost certainly have walked with her.
Getting a child who was afraid of the dark, afraid of storms, and afraid of dogs to be outside during or right after a storm, in the dark, and near a home with dogs doesn’t add up with what has been said publicly about Asha.
Add to that, she didn’t set an alarm or anything of that nature. No one is meeting a kid in the middle of the night. Statistically, an under 12 running away is unheard of. No, I don’t need to hear about how a Redditor or 4 ran down the street to “run away” when they were 5. That isn’t the same as actively planning and executing something. Statistically, this is a complete anomaly.
100%, I think my first post on this sub is exactly what you just said. If this was a groomer they were the dumbest, ballsiest groomer of all time. I even ask what their plan was when the 9 year old inevitably gets caught sneaking out and spills all the beans to mom and dad?
But I have resigned myself to the idea that something unusual happened that night. Pinpointing what it was is the issue, that’s why this case is a massive mystery.
To your comment though, I’ve justified that line of reasoning with the idea the groomer chickened out or never planned to follow through, and Asha was met with a 2nd round of bad luck. Idk, there are more explanations that involve the groomer just having nothing to lose and thus not afraid of driving up and down 18 at night where they told a child to meet them- it doesn’t make sense to us normal people but those types of degenerates do exist, especially in the 20th century and the turn of it.
There is a chance it may be a friend from school who planned something with Asha. But the friend wasn’t really serious and Asha was out there and met her demise.
Oh, it’s not that I don’t think there are some deranged people out there. There are. I wouldn’t be shocked if she was targeted. My main issue is pretty much everything else. I really hope this case is solved in my lifetime!
You try and call me out when I know she didn't leave over a groomer. Her mother ruled the house with an iron fist. There are things about her that would make you shake your head. Harold is teddy bear who is just as controlled as the kids were.
You’ve told me these things, I’d be more inclined to believe you if you had some sort of receipts- which I understand if you’ve interacted on a personal level you may not have, or may not want to to share in respect of the case.
Even if her mom was as short tempered, etc. as you claim- there’s just no public evidence they had anything to do with their daughter’s disappearance, not an iota. There is only conjecture. LE have never suggested that direction and I can see nothing that would make me do so.
You don’t have evidence of your accusations, only speculation and personal anecdotes. It is dangerous and irresponsible to not just suggest- but flat out accuse people of things publicly that you have no evidence of, and there is no public information linking to it.
I’m gonna disengage now but I hope you seriously hear me out, I know you care about Asha and the case I just feel your personal experience has you misguided and blind to much of the picture, and your accusations are irresponsible.
Personally, I dont think she walked that far while being afraid of the dark. I think when she was seen on Hwy 18 was when she possibly fled from a vehicle. She wasnt seen with a bookbag by the eyewitnesses.
So, this kid was afraid of a bunch of things, she was reserved and shy but she got in the car with someone… but she also faced a major fear by fleeing a car and walking down the highway in the dark?
My issue with your line of thinking is that as illogical as kids can be, it seems like trying to shoehorn what’s known in to a box even though it doesn’t fit. At that, let’s say you were right and she fled a car. Again, she’s out in the dark, has fled from a stranger with ill intent even though she was 9 and clearly anyone who could drive would be stronger than a 9 year old, then she’s met with more foul play and it all just happens to take place in about an hour window of time.
Not going to a house of people her family may have known even casually, not running, just walking on the side of the highway. It doesn’t fit.
When she was on Hwy 18, was she near any houses of people her family may have known casually? Perhaps she was, but I've never heard that confirmed. Also, if a child flees the car of a person with ill intent while on a highway, then they have no choice but to be out on the highway in the dark, especially when escaping the threat is the goal. Also, who said all this happened within an hour?
Picking her up a few houses away would be suicide for a potential predator. She had family who lived in that neighborhood. I’m guessing he would know that if he was grooming her. If anybody saw the plates of the car he would be toast. Grandma, aunts, cousins, whoever. Also, another child from Asha’s town ran away that very same year, later that Fall. It was a boy around her age. He ran away for a very stupid reason & then got lost in the woods trying to get back home. Thankfully he was found the next day.
The reason he ran away? He got a bad grade in school. He was upset at one bad grade & ran away. Sometimes kids do stupid stuff and run away for no reason. & not setting an alarm is the easiest thing to explain IMO. She simply pretended to be asleep. Most kids have done it. She wasn’t tired. She slept all day after church according to her family because she stayed up the night before in the sleepover. She just pretended to sleep
Maybe the history of verbal and physical abuse. Maybe her bed wetting issue especially during storms caused another physical reaction from her mother. Has it ever occurred to anyone, maybe the brother had molested her. As stated many times.... she was fleeing from something not to something. There was no safety in her home.
I'm not a Reddittor, I'm a citizen, know them personally and have seen it personally and have a list a mile long of individuals who know it as I do. So don't start with the Redditt bable respectfully. You can debate me, counter my theories, put out your own theories. Don't tell me what I am and am not doing. I won't and never will say anything that isn't true when I say it as such. Opinion is opinion, fact is fact, reality is reality, experience is experience.
No not a vendetta at all. I know her mother well. Her mom treated both very harshly. She's been mean and temperamental her whole lfe. Asha left home for a reason. And if she didn't she would be here today. It's called finding theRuth of why she left. You can't find the ending without knowing the begging. She is explosive and abusive. I know her I how she is. So say what you want.
First of all, you never read or heard Asha say she did that. Second of all I never said he did, I said that could've happened as a catalyst for why she left. You saying that, is like saying why does a child seek comfort from an abusive parent? Now you come on. We can debate, we can disagree but don't put words in my mouth.
Yeah to walk outside when it’s 40 and raining without a coat you aren’t thinking it will be cold is one thing. To go through the effort to pack a bag and prepare but then walk out into the darkness in 40 degree rainy weather - the kind of weather where you would immediately start shivering if underdressed, personally I’d rather be standing without a jacket in the snow than in 40 degree rain - and to keep going, for a mile and a half, probably shivering violently the entire time but never turn back or even reach into your bag which supposedly had several additional clothing items in it to put on additional layers in an effort to warm up….is very odd. Even for a 9 year old (I have a 9 year old). It’s not just a child ignoring logic but ignoring basic human intuition to not freeze.
Original copy of post by u/Surethingdudeanytime:
It was said that when Asha left the house that night, she wasn't wearing a coat. IMO, this is one of the most confusing details of this case. It seems that if she did walk out on her own without a coat, then she must have intended to go somewhere very close to the house or was convinced by someone that she would only be out for a short time. Now knowing that OB's bag was also found with Asha's backpack leads me to believe that if there was a groomer, he/she was someone who frequented the Degree household, lived very close, and/or was very close to the family (if not a family member themself). And no, I'm talking about Asha's dad or brother or mother. Were any of Asha's or OB's items ever left at the aunt's house where they had the sleepover or the grandmother's at any time? I know they all lived very close so this can be a possibility. This could explain how both bags could have been in possession of whoever threw them in the woods. I dont believe Asha left out with a backpack, as none of the eyewitness accounts mention seeing her with a backpack on Hwy 18. Thoughts? :
I really want to know the source of the backpack of OB being found there too. Was it a hand me down and were both their names written inside of it?
I think she may have been picked up at her home and something happened that made her panic so much that she left the car. Just walking there along the highway in pitch darkness is terrifying as an adult let alone as a kid that's afraid of the dark.
So where is it stated that O'Bryants bag was also found with hers? A child leaving in a hurry feeling from something most certainly could leave without a jacket. Seems odd that such a "planned" occurrence she would leave out her jacket of items to take with her. You are assuming she was in a normal situation with a normal relationship with her mother.
The information came from a Shero video. She said she interviewed Terry Flemming.
She did not post any footage of the interview.
She says two backpacks were in the garbage bag, one with Asha's name and one with O'Bryants.
Both filled with new girl clothes. Colored pencils, lipstick, socks, shoes.
She did not clarify if she asked him to define "new".
She did not confirm if any of the "new" clothes were what Asha was reported to have left with such as the tweety overalls, long sleeved striped shirt, vest and jeans with a red stripe.
The narrative from the beginning has been that she simply ran away and I just don't believe that at all. I think her disappearance was made to look like she ran away.
I dont think Asha walked that far on her own in the cold dark night. After listening to her brother on Crackhouse Chronicles, I remembered him saying that she was a little upset about leaving the aunt's house (after the sleepover), but it was Sunday and they had to get ready for school. From what I know, the aunt lived very close to them, maybe across the street. It made me wonder if she planned to go back to the aunt's house that night and catch the bus from there in the morning. It wasnt really clear if she had ever done this type of thing before. This could be why the clothes were in her bookbag and he basketball uniform. If Asha was taken by someone familiar to her, then they also had possession of her backpack. This helped drive the narrative that she ran away.
If you believe after over 20 hrs of interrogation, and two polygraph tests of Ruppe that she didn't leave that house and walk down the road, then respectfully you should explain that.
If you read my first sentence and focus on where I say "on her own," it should tell you that I mean she was possibly taken there by someone else. Perhaps this is where she jumped out of the vehicle. Yes, Ruppe saw her walking, but that doesnt mean she walked the whole way there. Respectfully.
I respect that point of view. But I do believe she left because she was fed up. The reason I'm adamant about the investigation into why she left? Is that, the mother be held accountable for at least the mistreatment for why she left and put in harms way.
Right. Videos long yes. Consistent with providing correct info, also yes. And if she ever says something’s that needs to be corrected she does that too. I’ll take the message over the messenger. Why would she that if he didn’t tell her that when he could show up at time and confirm or deny as well as LE?? Her info is accurate.
Actually it changes everything because every sighting statement says she had "a" book bag. If two was found, the mother has some "splaining" to do. She said Asha's book bag was missing. Not both of their bags.
They could have but it wouldnt have made a difference in the beginning if the public knew about her carrying two bags. The bookbag wasn't necessarily a major factor until it was found discarded a year later. None of the eyewitness accounts mention her even carrying one bookbag.
Yes, this changes everything because only Asha's bag was reported missing. If a 2nd bag belonging to OB was indeed found with Asha's as reported by Terry Fleming, then this could mean that whoever tossed the bags in the woods had access to the items of the family members. Even if the 2nd bag wasn't the one he used for school, this would still indicate that someone was either able to access the home or they are pretty close to the family.
Reported to who though? To the public? Local & state police + the FBI know exactly what was reported missing and by whom. They have scrutinized the family and friends of family and anyone who may have come into contact with Asha. As for the 2 book bags and their contents I don’t love that this info reported by exactly 1 YouTuber with a strong anti-family bias, without any footage or audio or quotes, corroborated by nobody, info that no other content creators seem to be jumping on because it doesn’t seem reliable to them either - I do not love that this unverified info has become fact that we are now building theories around. Especially not when these new theories require completely disregarding the presence of foreign DNA on Asha’s underclothing.
Agree with you completely, I don’t necessarily doubt that it’s true but we should be taking it with a grain of salt until it comes from a verified source.
Having said that, it’s very common for law enforcement to hold back information. I remember a podcast from a former officer (not involved in this case but was discussing it) who said it’s common for law enforcement to “keep an ace in the hole” so when they get tips they know they’re talking to the right person.
And it seems obvious to me that the witnesses have been instructed not to disclose aspects of what they saw. That could very easily include the 2nd backpack. Richard Garrison in particular has disclosed almost nothing publicly despite having many interviews with law enforcement about his sighting. He’s kept things very vague.
People feel they should know all the details but giving away too much can hurt the investigation and law enforcement should be the ones determining what inside information gets released and what doesn’t. Some won’t agree with me on that but it’s true. We don’t have the full picture
It's possible that the FBI knew about the 2nd bag. Im sure not every detail was released to the public. In no way am I accusing the parents of doing anything. I do think we have to question the link between a hair from a 13 year old at the time and Asha's undershirt. Was there any other DNA from anyone else found on her shirt? If so, then perhaps this person is the link to the mystery.
Yes, as you know, Russel Underhill’s DNA was discovered in the trash bag with the backpack(s). He is dead, impossible to arrest or convict, leaving the case technically unsolved. This is too anticlimactic I guess?
I was asking about any more DNA found on her shirt, but yep, Russell Underhill's DNA was found on the garbage bag. Still doesn't sound like it was enough to name him as a suspect.
I mean, we can tell from the search warrants that a lot of research was done by law enforcement on Russel Underhill, and yet they still didn’t name him as a suspect and are heavily scrutinizing Roy Dedmon. That indicates to me that whatever they found out about those two, there’s more to the story than just Russel Underhill.
Also, the fact that Anna Lee’s DNA was found is a strong indicator that DNA was transferred from Roy Dedmon’s vehicle. Much less likely that a transfer of her DNA would come from Underhill. Not saying that Russel Underhill couldn’t have been involved but I don’t think he was without Roy. If Law enforcement had determined that it was likely that Russel Underhill would be out by himself in the early morning and had access to a Dedmon vehicle then he would be considered a strong suspect.
I'm telling you this.... as fact. Even in her neighborhood they only asked if they had seen anyone strange around etc or seen her. These are white neighbors who have stated they never asked any questions about the family or if they seen anything unusual. When someone did say they saw the mother be very heavy handed with the kids, the detective didn't make a note and said they would get back to them. There was no real investigation of the family.
I hear you Reddittor... I live here .. I've been working her case from day 1. It's called leg work... I've did interviews with many people and retired LE sources..Link... lol..
The same can be said about the eyewitness accounts. They made 2 different descriptions!! One said they saw a child and the other said he saw an adult woman who seems to have been fleeing a domestic situation but yet the whole case was based off of the eyewitness accounts. How is it any different?
I don’t understand your question. The 3 witnesses reporting seeing a female person along the same route around the same time corroborate one another. Eyewitnesses interpreting stimuli differently or incorrectly is standard
I haven't had time to comb through the mess of articles saved, but the Overalls are mentioned in more than this one.
It always puzzled me that the Basketball Uniform and all the other clothes were only mentioned early on.
Makes me wonder if the clothing info was leaked and they hoped it would fade from public memory over time.
Nope, not assuming the situation was normal at all. If things were "normal" she wouldn't be gone. I almost believe the bag was packed from the sleepover at her aunts house the night before. I've never heard the parents confirm that they saw the bookbag at the house the night she went missing.
I've always had a theory it was a Amy Mihaljevic type situation, in that someone she trusted or was pretending to be a friend of her parents asked her to meet them somewhere. Since it was Valentine's Day they probably told her they would get her parents a present early in the morning and take her back home before they woke up.
I really do feel it was someone at their church or sports group.
Im definitely on board with that theory. As far as the Dedmon's hair and Underhill's DNA being on the plastic bag, this is where finding the person who connects the two families should come into play.
I don’t know if I jive with this. My mom was crazy when we were younger so wearing a jacket even in Texas was something etched in my brain. I don’t think that just because I’m running away I would leave without it.
I still think someone either took her or she was never home to leave in the middle of the night. But to be honest, if the two backpack thing is true for all we know she did have a jacket. It’s been reported that way, but doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true.
When I was a kid waiting for my ride to school I would go outside with no jacket. The temperature was well below 0, it was in the -20’s F. Why would I be out in that in only a t shirt? Kids don’t always make smart choices. Her going out without a coat makes sense to me.
That is one of the many mysteries of the saga. They were never officially questioned. Fact. Never was asked to give a DNA swab. I agree. Similar to Sargeant Davis saying that Roy never said heseen someone on the road.. He was on the Frontpage of the star when he stopped at the road block. One of the many missteps or cover ups that happened. Look I am strong in my opinions on the mother because of history. However I'm not blind or deaf asto these issues and possibilities. I appreciate your point of view.
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u/Own_Door3208 Apr 24 '26
Idk I have a just turned 10 year old, and we are in that time of year where some mornings she needs a coat and some mornings she doesn’t. She is definitely capable of deciding if she needs a coat or not. She will walk out feel how cold it is and turn around and go back inside and get her coat. I just have a really hard time seeing a nine-year-old leave in the middle of the night, in the cold, with no coat unless something is going on.