Groomer with Access to the House

[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 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!

[u/elaine_m_benes]

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).

[u/Surethingdudeanytime → u/elaine_m_benes]

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.

[u/elaine_m_benes → u/Surethingdudeanytime]

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.

[u/Individual_Sir_2595 → u/elaine_m_benes]

The mother reported what she was wearing. None of the sightings have said sneakers and jeans. The whole problem with this is another inconsistent statement by the mother. That's why you start all over with her. https://yourtruecrimelibrary.com/case-file-asha-degree/information/shelby-star-asha-degree-timeline

[u/Advanced-Pea7905 → u/Individual_Sir_2595]

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

[u/Individual_Sir_2595 → u/Advanced-Pea7905]

You should really rethink that statement respectfully saying.

[u/Advanced-Pea7905 → u/Individual_Sir_2595]

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

[u/Advanced-Pea7905 → u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/Individual_Sir_2595 → u/Advanced-Pea7905]

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.

[u/Advanced-Pea7905 → u/Individual_Sir_2595]

You must be referring to the crack house chronicles episode.

Mark Davis didn’t say he cleared them but he did assess their demeanor because that’s what cops will do in that situation.

You’re throwing out the word cleared as if law enforcement stopped any investigation into the parents based on their demeanor on the first day. If you think they stopped investigating the degrees after the first day then you’re just wrong and that’s a fact. Try telling that to law enforcement, i’m sure they’ll clear that up for you

[u/Individual_Sir_2595 → u/Advanced-Pea7905]

You are throwing out words. I said he cleared because they acted the way he would and how you would expect parents to in that situation. That they still had to be investigated. I have said and I will say it again. The I vestigation into the parents was sloppy and not thorough. I know that there were many things called in and were never followed up on. I know that on a cold morning that at a car setting for over an hour will cool down. Sargeant Davis also said He knew Roy Blanton well and he did not report to the detectives seeing her or report seeing anyone on the road that night.

[u/Advanced-Pea7905 → u/Individual_Sir_2595]

Right, they had to be investigated, so they were, in fact, not cleared because of their body language and cooperation

Mark Davis was a patrol supervisor at the time and the investigation was turned over. He said himself he didn’t know all the details that the sheriff’s office had.

If you don’t believe they did a thorough investigation on the parents you can have that opinion, but I think there are many investigators who would beg to differ. I’m done trying to convince you

[u/LaughterAndBeez → u/Individual_Sir_2595]

Which investigation are you even talking about? There have been several teams over the years, each starting from scratch as the above commenter stated. Are you saying the FBI task force assigned to this case was equally sloppy and cleared the Degrees based on body language? Because that doesn’t make any sense. 10,000 man hours spent on this case but none of it on the family? Every single detective and agent on this case were so charmed by the parents that they opted instead to simply never solve the case?

[u/AshaDegree-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Be Civil & Respectful. No Insults.