Asha Degree Case: Roy Dedmon's Connection?

Can a life, lived largely out of the public eye, hold the key to a cold case that has haunted a community for a quarter of a century? The recent events surrounding the death of Roy Donald Dedmon and the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Asha Degree suggest that the answer might be a chilling "yes."

The shadow of unsolved cases often stretches long, casting doubt and suspicion across multiple generations. In Shelby, North Carolina, the name Roy Lee Dedmon has resurfaced, not just as a local resident, but as a focal point in the re-examination of the Asha Degree disappearance. The details intertwine, creating a complex narrative that brings the past and present together in an unsettling manner.

Roy Donald Dedmon, aged 97, passed away peacefully at his home at 1511 McBrayer Springs Rd., Shelby, NC, on October 21, 2022, surrounded by his family. The announcement, a standard obituary, offers a sense of closure to a life well-lived. However, the ripples of his life continue to expand, intersecting with the tragic fate of Asha Degree.

The connection between the elder Dedmon and the missing girl is a web of associations, properties, and unsettling coincidences. The Shelby Star reported that a home in Shelby, linked to Roy Lee Dedmon, became the focus of law enforcement activity. This home is the location where a car was seized, initiating a deeper scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding Degree's disappearance.

Roy Lee Dedmon's name first entered the public consciousness in 2012. He was charged after an emaciated horse was found on his property. Although the case was ultimately dropped, the incident offered a glimpse into the personal life of a man now at the center of the investigation. The incident raised concerns about animal welfare, and the horse, named Baby, was taken in by the Horse Protection Society of North Carolina, where she is still recovering.

Investigators have determined that Asha Degree is a victim of homicide. This grim conclusion is made all the more painful by the years that have passed since her disappearance. The search for answers has led investigators to scrutinize Dedmon's properties. Specifically, a 1964 AMC Rambler, which was registered to Roy Lee Dedmon, was towed from one of his properties in September 2024, signifying a pivotal moment in the renewed investigation.

The evidence gathered over the years paints a complex picture. A hair stem found on Asha Degree's shirt was linked to one of Roy Dedmon's daughters. DNA recovered from Degree's belongings has been connected to one of the Dedmon daughters, who were teenagers when Degree vanished, and a man named Roy Underhill, who had connections to the Dedmon family. Underhill knew and associated with Roy Dedmon and was listed as Underhills emergency contact, according to medical records. These connections created a network of associations that raises questions.

Roy Lee Dedmon, through his attorney David Teddy, has maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in or knowledge of Degrees disappearance. Teddy held a press conference on Friday, September 13th, amid the search at Dedmon's home. He said the search warrant for Dedmon's Cherryville Road property would reveal that a person, who is no longer living, would be connected to the circumstances surrounding Degrees disappearance.

It is difficult to not draw parallels with other developments. The home at 621 Cherryville Road, the site of intensive investigation, is approximately 3.7 miles from Asha Degrees last known location near North Carolina Highway 18 and Wallace Grove Drive.

Further adding complexity to the case is the business history of Roy Lee and Connie Dedmon. They purchased a former school in 1991 and sold it in 2004. After Cleveland Health Care closed in 2002, they opened an assisted living center in Vale, North Brook Rest Home, where Roy Underhill lived until his death in 2004. The involvement of an assisted living facility owned by the Dedmons presents an even darker layer to this already complex case.

The attorney, Teddy, expressed that focusing on facts is important. He emphasized that it is a disservice to the victim and her family and the Dedmon family to spread unverified information. Teddy reiterated that once the search warrant is made public, the connection to Dedmons property will become clear.

The case raises many difficult questions. This investigation has led to renewed interest in the Dedmon family and has renewed the community's focus. The pursuit of truth, no matter how delayed, remains a beacon of hope for Asha Degrees family.

Category Details
Full Name Roy Lee Dedmon
Date of Birth July 11, 1944
Age (as of current date) 80 years old (as of writing this article)
Current Residence Shelby, NC
Past Residences Vale, NC
Known Aliases Roy L. Dedmon, Roy Dedman
Marital Status Married to Connie Elliott Dedmon
Business Affiliations President at Farmers Mutual Fire Insur Co.
Property Ownership Owner of a property at 621 Cherryville Road, Shelby, NC.
Other Business Ventures Opened North Brook Rest Home, an assisted living center, with Connie Dedmon.
Legal Issues Charged with misdemeanor animal abuse in 2012. The case was dropped.
Family Married to Connie Elliott Dedmon. They are parents to daughters, one of whom has been linked to the case.
Association with Underhill Roy Underhill lived at properties owned by the Dedmon family, and Roy Dedmon was listed as Underhill's emergency contact.
Reference The Shelby Star

The unfolding investigation of Asha Degree's disappearance presents a complex narrative. The connections between Roy Lee Dedmon, his family, and Roy Underhill have captured the public's attention. This investigation demands the unwavering pursuit of justice.

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