THE KENNEDY CONSPIRACY: JACK RUBY

Delving into any aspect of the November 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy is an ambitious and even perilous endeavor. So much has been said and studied: thousands of pages of scientific evidence, hundreds of witness accounts including some that have evolved over fifty-plus years, numerous government investigations and literally thousands of books. It has long been difficult for so many to believe that Lee Harvey Oswald, who had previously defected to Russia, killed Kennedy acting alone and that less than two days later, Jack Ruby, with his loose ties to the Dallas underworld, also acting alone, so easily killed Oswald. Dozens of conspiracy theories about who “really” assassinated JFK have abounded and become a booming and seemingly limitless business. After all, an angry and broadly anti-government Oswald pulling off the assassination of the century isn’t nearly as intriguing as the Mafia, CIA, FBI, Fidel Castro, the Russians, or even Lyndon Johnson leading the effort.

In almost every single Gallup poll taken in the decades since Kennedy’s death, a majority of Americans, across all demographic and political lines, were convinced that Oswald was part of a broader conspiracy to kill the president. Of course, if Oswald was part of any orchestrated plan to kill Kennedy, it also significantly increases the probability that Jack Ruby was involved in the assassination, as well.

The intrigue has been exacerbated by the fact that some significant information connected to the case still remains under seal. In 2017, as required by a law passed twenty-five years earlier, more documents and information were finally released. But like everything Kennedy assassination related, the new material presented as many questions as answers. For the first time the public saw a memo apparently dictated by then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover the night of Oswald’s death: “The thing I am concerned about…is having something issued so we can convince the public that Oswald is the real assassin.”

In that same memo, Hoover mentioned a specific threat to Oswald’s life: “Last night we received a call in our Dallas office from a man talking in a calm voice and saying he was a member of a committee organized to kill Oswald,” Hoover wrote. “We at once notified the chief of police and he assured us Oswald would be given sufficient protection. This morning we called the chief of police again warning of the possibility of some effort against Oswald and again he assured us adequate protection would be given. However, this was not done… Oswald having been killed today after our warnings to the Dallas Police Department was inexcusable.”

About Jack Ruby, who had been arrested instantly for killing Oswald, Hoover said, “We have no information on Ruby that is firm, although there are some rumors of underworld activity in Chicago.”

For many, understanding Jack Ruby, his background, travel and associates, became the key to blowing open the conspiracy. For example, one author and former high-ranking official in the administration of Richard Nixon has said that in 1982 Nixon recalled hiring Ruby as an informant for the House Un-American Activities Committee when Nixon was a member of Congress. The official, who believes Lyndon Johnson was the architect of the assassination, claimed Nixon said he hired Ruby at the behest of LBJ, one of “Johnson’s boys.” A document presumably from a congressional staffer in 1947 even sought to prevent Jack Rubenstein (Ruby’s given name was Rubenstein) from having to testify in front of the committee in public. “It is my sworn statement that one Jack Rubenstein of Chicago noted as a potential witness for hearings of the House Committee on Un-American Activities is performing information functions for the staff of Cong. Richard M. Nixon, Rep. Of California. It is requested Rubenstein not be called for open testimony in those aforementioned hearings.”

Putting aside the paucity of support for any theory that Johnson was somehow involved, some dispute the authenticity of the document; others more persuasively argue that the Jack Rubenstein referred to in the document was a prominent young communist of the same name who later became a labor union official. But perhaps most importantly, the source of the supposed Johnson connection came from a former Nixon official named Roger Stone, who was convicted, and then pardoned by former President Donald Trump of a host of crimes including lying to Congress. But this sort of conspiracy rabbit hole is familiar terrain for many Kennedy assassination buffs.

Even those with mundane intentions can get caught up in the desire to find that tantalizing Ruby connection that could break open the case. There would be no more certain way to do so than by offering proof of a connection between Oswald and Ruby who according to every official account did not know one another. Texas Judge Brandon Birmingham, an expert on the Ruby trial, had access to many of the original documents and pieces of evidence in that trial, which were stored at the Dallas courthouse. He described digging through the files as part of an effort to find and preserve evidence for a local museum. There, he made a startling finding: “One day, I found a transcript of a tape-recorded conversation between Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby from days before the assassination. I nearly had a heart attack.”

If this transcript was authenticated, it would have proved that these two critical figures who supposedly had each acted alone and did not know one another, were actually part of a larger conspiracy to kill the president. “For about 30 minutes, I thought I’d uncovered a single piece of evidence that would have rewritten the history books.”

It certainly would have done just that. Alas, it was not meant to be. He “realized it was a part of a movie script written in the ’70s. In my defense, it did look like an official transcript, numbered margins and all.”

In retrospect, it is fair to say that the official and often under-appreciated 888-page Warren Commission report, which ruled out any possible conspiracies, missed some details and got certain facts wrong. The FBI and CIA were partially responsible since both had Oswald on their radar—even though not as a threat to the president—and sought to minimize that fact. But did the report whiff on the ultimate question of whether Oswald and then Ruby acted alone?

That question certainly was in our minds when we decided to further examine one of the most interesting and often over-looked trials of modern American history. A forgotten trial somehow few have focused on despite the fact that it served as the genesis or launching pad for many of the conspiracy theories. Sometimes in the form of testimony, and many other times with questions left unanswered. And while the trial wasn’t about a possible conspiracy, the issue was forever lurking within the halls of the courthouse and the courtroom itself. Both sides sought to use the possibility of there being “more to the story” for strategic advantage.

It has even been alleged that the defense team was involved in the conspiracy, that Ruby’s lead attorney, Melvin Belli, then considered the nation’s greatest legal showman, was part of an effort to ensure that Ruby was actually convicted. Neither David Fisher nor I take that seriously, but we did differ on the strategy employed by the defense. This was not an easy case, but I believe Belli did Ruby a disservice with the defense he chose and yet David felt Belli generally made a compelling case. So keep an eye out for the subtleties in our agreed upon characterizations of the defense and decide for yourself.

This is our fourth book together, where we have tried to tell the story of an overlooked trial while tracking the evolution of the American legal system, from the Boston Massacre trial, to defense attorney Abraham Lincoln and defendant Theodore Roosevelt, to The State of Texas v. Jack Rubenstein. By the time this trial took place in 1964, the once streamlined trial system had expanded to include a great variety of different legal paths, from pretrial hearings through appeals. More than just stories about trials with great repercussions, these books have been an exploration of the American legal system, in all its glories and complexities.

In the end, when examining this trial and Jack Ruby’s role, re-member that fate played a role. If Oswald had not paused to put on a black sweater over his shirt before being transported that fateful day, or if Ruby had not agreed to wire $25 to a woman who worked in his club, history would have been changed forever...

SOURCE

NEWS BREAK: THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF GENE HACKMAN

Gene Hackman's death and the deaths of his wife and dog are puzzling authorities, who have labeled his passing "suspicious."

According to a search warrant, obtained by the media, a Santa Fe detective who sought a search warrant wrote in his affidavit, he believes "the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak."

Breaking this down ... Gene's wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found in the bathroom on the ground near the countertop, lying on her right side. The deputy saw a black space heater near her head. The deputy believed the heater could have fallen in the event Betsy abruptly fell to the ground.

The deputy also noticed an orange prescription bottle on the countertop, which was open with pills scattered on the countertop. It appears she had been dead for some time, because the body was in a state of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet.

Gene was found in a separate room off the kitchen. He was fully clothed and they suspected he may have suddenly fallen, because his sunglasses were found next to his body.

The fire department came and advised they did not see any signs of carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. The New Mexico Gas Company came to the residence and conducted testing on the gas lines in and around the house, and concluded, "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."

The deceased dog, a German Shepherd, was found 10 to 15 feet from Betsy, in a closet of the bathroom. Two other dogs were found alive and healthy -- one inside the house and one outside.

The bodies were discovered by 2 maintenance workers, who said they hadn't seen them in approximately 2 weeks. When the maintenance workers arrived to discover the bodies, the front door was ajar, but the deputy says there were no signs of forced entry. The story is developing...

HISTORY OF THE ALIEN DIGEST

The Alien Digest was a UFO phenomena research newsletter that ran from 1991 and ended before August 1993. Headed by former Air Force intelligence agent Ron Rummel, with additional collaborations including from prominent UFO researcher Phil Schneider, it discussed conspiracy theories concerning the relationship between humanity and extraterrestrial life, the latter's potentially hostile agenda, and the investigation of possible government cover-ups. Irrespective of whether the theories can be conclusively proven, the newsletter has garnered infamy among the UFO research community for the fates surrounding Rummel and Schneider. The first four issues are widely publicly available, but some sources claim three others were also released in limited quantities.

Details surrounding Ron Rummel are limited, with most sources regurgitating the same information. According to Project Camelot, Rummel previously worked in the United States Air Force as an intelligence agent.However, for more than a quarter century of his life, Rummel had developed a strong fascination for UFO phenomena. As detailed in volume 1 of the newsletter, Rummel, under the pseudonym of "Creston", explained that his devotion to all things alien and UFO-related had led him to become a full-time and self-proclaimed professional UFO researcher. He was therefore considerably unlike other notable UFO researchers of the era, who saw their studies as a part-time hobby. However, this led Rummel to greatly depend on friends to continue his studies, as he lacked any income sources after leaving the Air Force.

By the early 1990s, Rummel believed he had enough viable findings to produce a newsletter for like-minded individuals. Titled The Alien Digest, these newsletters were published by The Aquarian Church of Universal Service. It was a non-profit organisation founded by Paul Shockley, with its members holding the shared belief that the living universe has multiple dimensions containing entities linked to Christian interpretations. It was the Church's belief the "Absolute Truth" could be uncovered via the unification of religious and scientific approaches. Shockley also became the newsletter's editor. Each issue was sold individually for $10, though a subscription would enable one to obtain six issues for $27 per annum. Rummel stated in Volume 1 that The Alien Digest was targeted towards free-thinking UFO researchers who sought critical information that was being withheld from public view.

Aside from Rummel and Shockley, five others collaborated on the newsletter. Among them was Phil Schneider, a fellow UFO researcher and close friend of Rummel. The pair had previously embarked on a several-hour observation of supposed UFOs at Area 51 in early December 1989. Analysis of Volume 1 indicates the first issue was likely published in 1991. While it is unclear when the others were circulated, Volume 4 would have been published no earlier than 19th July 1992, as it discussed that year's Northwest UFO Group conference. Each issue consisted of 24 to 25 pages.

Analysis of available volumes indicates the first was centred around extraterrestrial motivations. Creston stated that while he was of sufficient confidence that malevolent alien life exists, Earth and humanity were under threat of hostile and desperate beings already inhabiting the planet. He cited that a grey species called the "Zeta Reticuli" had regressed into beings that could only reproduce via growingly inferior clones. It was therefore ruthlessly experimenting on human abductees and their tissue to potentially cross-breed and successfully restart their natural reproduction. Also discussed was the Strategic Defense Initiative aka Star Wars, and how its establishment was connected to a Secret Wars between humanity and a large planetoid the size of Jupiter nicknamed "Nemesis".

The second volume concerned the controversial history and theories regarding alien abductions, which Creston claims had regularly commenced for over five decades. One motive he raised pondered the idea a galactic black market exists which is farming and selling the meat of humans and other Earthlings. Creston also discussed the influence of UFOs in ancient human history, particularly on Aztec, Balinese, and Mayan cultures and the practice of sacrifice. The newsletter nevertheless also indicated "friendly" beings were also assisting the US and USSR in tackling rogue UFOs and their bases on the planet.

Volume 3 provided a deeper dive into UFOs, firstly by detailing the Roswell incident which occurred in July 1947. While mainstream sources state the accident site was merely caused by a military balloon, others believe crucial evidence of a wrecked UFO was recovered by military personnel. Creston, in particular, cited Charles Berlitz's claims the incident allowed the United States to begin meetings with aliens, allowing it to also gather useful information on the craft's origins and technology. The volume additionally discussed how Adolf Hitler may not have actually committed suicide, but instead faked his and his wife Eva Braun's deaths. He instead supposedly began plans with UFO research team ULTRA on spacecraft to be produced in an area of Antarctica nicknamed "Neuschwabenland". Near the end of this volume, it brings up the Southern Television broadcast intrusion though does not expand on whether the hijacker was a real alien or merely a hoax.

The fourth volume again tackled abductions, particularly suspicious disappearances of ship crews. It began by summarising Christopher Columbus' accounts of unusual sea activity and the disappearance of three ships from "whirlwinds", in addition to listing missing ships near the infamous Bermuda Triangle. It links such disappearances and the unexplained deaths of crews from other sea vessels to UFO activity. It also speculates that the Third and even Fourth World Wars may be contended between humanity and aliens, potentially fighting a "network" of worlds. The Western Bigfoot Society Newsletter's Bigfoot reports are harnessed in order to establish a possible connection between Sasquatch and UFOs. The proposed fifth volume promised to delve further into Bigfoot, other malevolent extraterrestrials, and how some may have created underground bases on Earth.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a large majority of theories discussed in The Alien Digest have never been fully verified, with some being especially obscure and controversial among the UFO research community. A particular issue concerns the extensive classification of UFO documentation by the United States compared to other countries, making it difficult to validate or debunk allegations. Therefore, all content within the newsletter should be viewed with discretion.

Rummel continued his extensive UFO research into 1993, boosted by a growing subscription base for The Alien Digest. He focused on the Strategic Defense Initiative and planned to publish a book that detailed its supposedly true motives, as well as the suspicious deaths of over 30 British scientists connected to classified defense projects. However, on 6th August 1993, his lifeless body was discovered in the Macleay Park in Portland, Oregon. Upon examining the scene, the official detective's report concluded Rummel had committed suicide. They found a suicide note apparently written by the author and determined he had killed himself through a pistol shot to the mouth. Following this conclusion, the police and FBI firmly closed the official investigation into his death. Ultimately, no sources detail what was written in the suicide note.

Schneider and other UFO researchers were shocked by Rummel's death. In a 2nd June 1995 interview with FOX, Schneider claimed Rummel and other supposed suicide victims involved in conspiracies actually enjoyed relatively stable lives, enhanced through loving families and bright futures. Thus, the UFO research community began to speculate Rummel's passing was not self-inflicted, but an act of murder. After viewing the detective's report, which has also become difficult to locate, friends and relatives identified some discrepancies. Rummel was known to have been right-handed and was not ambidextrous, but a left-handed individual was identified as having written the suicide note. It was also determined the pistol contained neither blood nor fingerprints, but Rummel's right hand contained blow-back blood. These revelations appeared especially suspicious, as Rummel obviously could not have cleared the blood himself.  Additionally, traces of sodium pentothal, also known as sodium thiopental, were found at the scene, with thiopental commonly used in executions.

Some, including Schneider, Schneider's former wife Cynthia Drayer, and some of Rummel's relatives, believe he was murdered and that his assailant is still at large.They allege The Alien Digest's viewership numbers and topics discussed provided ample motivation for Rummel's killing. Project Camelot cited the discussion of alien predators and allegations they were harnessing humans for recyclable and edible body parts as being significantly sensitive for the time period. His friend's death convinced Schneider, a former structural engineer who worked on projects like the Dulce underground base, to start conducting public lectures detailing his knowledge and experience of UFOs and government cover-ups. He claimed that in 1954, the Greada treaty was signed by the federal US government and the Grey aliens/Zeta Reticuli, enabling the latter to conduct implanting experiments on humans and cows, in exchange for providing full details of their experiments. Alas, negotiations broke down in 1979, which intensified when construction of Dulce base revealed a previously unlocated alien settlement, which in turn triggered a battle also involving Schneider.

Schneider managed to kill two of them but was shot in the chest, suffering dangerous exposure to cobalt radiation that triggered battles with cancer. The Zeta Reticuli was apparently eradicated at this base, with later analysis alleging they had been operating on Earth for around a million years. Only he and two others survived the battle. From 1994 to 1996, Schneider continued publicly discussing UFO conspiracies, including about the Star Wars project, how AIDs may well have been a biological weapon invented to wipe out the United States, and that a New World Order was being planned. Again, discretion must be taken concerning these otherwise unverified claims. By May 1995, Schneider was suffering from terminal cancer, which he blamed on his sensitive federal government work. He threatened to upload 140,000 pages of sensitive documents should attempts on his life be made. In January 1996, Schneider's body was found, having passed away aged 48.

An official report initially determined Schneider had suffered a stroke, but later changed its verdict to suicide after discovering that a rubber catheter hose may have been wrapped around the man's neck.However, Drayer contested that her former husband's death was an act of murder, having cited the theft of all UFO-related materials in his home yet valuables were left untouched. She also alleged the case was mishandled by the police and medical examiners who flat-out insisted the death was a suicide and refused to investigate other possibilities. Further, Schneider had frequently told relatives that any "suicide" verdict should be a sign he was murdered. Even if he did commit suicide, the usage of a hose was deemed suspicious as he had obtained a 9mm pistol and pills that would have ended his life instantly and less painfully. A possible suspect in the case was a blonde woman who had been found chatting to Schneider into the weeks leading to his death. Rummel and Schneider's deaths have since been frequently listed as among the most suspicious within the UFO and wider conspiracy communities...

THE LAUNDRIES: WHAT ARE THEY HIDING

With the new documentary on Netflix on the sad murder of Gabby Petito, the family of her boyfriend Brian Laundrie are coming under fire. The Laundrie family's yard has become a target for scorn, with people tossing trash, including soiled diapers and dog waste, onto their lawn. 

The parents of Brian Laundrie, who murdered Gabby Petito, have been shunned by their Florida neighborhood in a "unanimous" vote of hatred towards the couple, with people leaving dog waste on their property

Christopher and Roberta Laundrie have become increasingly isolated by their community. Neighbors have told the New York Post that this alienation is likely to intensify following the release of Netflix's "American Murder: Gabby Petito".

The documentary portrays the Laundries as aloof and unwelcoming towards Petito during her relationship with their son. More damningly, it highlights accusations that the family obstructed the investigation and withheld cooperation in finding Petito after she was reported missing on September 11, 2021.

Local resident Miriam Woodby, who resides close to the Laundrie household in North Port, shared her growing anger with the series: "The more I watched, the more pissed I got," she confessed. "When I pass their house, I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I hate them, and I've never even met them. I wish they'd just leave."

Another neighbor, whose home borders the Laundrie property, echoed the sentiment, branding them "Just horrible people, in my belief," and adding, "It's unanimous. No one wants anything to do with them."

The sentiment among neighbors is harsh, with one expressing deep animosity: "I wish them nothing but the worst," and adding, "Seriously. I hope they know how much we all hate them here. I hope they know they don't have any friends."

Jorge Ruiz, another local, disclosed that the Laundrie family's yard has become a target for scorn, with people tossing trash, including soiled diapers and dog waste, onto their lawn. On some occasions, individuals have even accosted Roberta Laundrie with verbal abuse as she moves between her car and home.

Gabby Petito's tragic story takes a darker turn as new insights unveil her secret struggle and desperate attempts to escape from Brian Laundrie. Ruiz sarcastically commented on the situation: "Yeah, my heart breaks for her," before delivering a cutting remark.

"That's what you get. That's what you get when you prolong the pain of innocent people to protect someone you know is guilty. You reap what you sow."

These words come as neighbors spill details about Petito's hidden cries for help, with one recounting how she witnessed the unfolding nightmare right across the street.

According to a documentary, Petito, only 22, confided in an ex-boyfriend, "I have a plan," expressing her intent to leave the 23-year-old Laundrie. She determinedly said, "I think I want to leave him. I'm going to do it. I have to figure out when to do it."

Another neighbor bluntly expressed outrage to The Post: "That family destroyed her." The young travelers spent the summer of 2021 exploring the western U.S. in their white van, sharing the journey on YouTube, but the trip ended with Laundrie returning home to North Port without Petito on September 1.

After failing to extract information from the Laundries, Petito's family reported her missing on September 11. Sadly, her body was found in Grand Teton National Park eight days later, resulting from strangulation at the hands of Laundrie. In the wake of Petito's death, and amidst growing frustration over the lack of cooperation, the US District Court of Wyoming issued a warrant for Laundrie's arrest.

His parents, however, remained silent on his whereabouts. A month after the initial search, the remains of Brian Laundrie were found in a Florida nature reserve, alongside his backpack and notebook, revealing his suicide and a written confession to the murder of Gabby Petito. Attempts to reach the Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino, for comments by The Post via phone message or email remained unanswered.

In the wake of these events, new bodycam footage has emerged, painting Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, parents of the deceased, as uncooperative during questioning by authorities about the Long Island native's whereabouts. With the release of a Netflix docuseries this Monday, tensions have been reignited within the Laundries' palm tree-adorned community...

AMERICAN MURDER: GABBY PETITO

If anyone enjoys True Crime documentaries, I recommend the new Netflix three-part documentary called American Murder: Gabby Petito. As a father, it not only scares me, but I know now what are the warning signs of abuse. Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito made headlines in 2021 for her suspicious disappearance and subsequent death. She moved to Florida in 2019 from New York to be close to then-boyfriend Brian Laundrie and his parents. They had been dating for nine months before relocating and getting engaged in July 2020.

The docuseries details the couple's decision to put off a wedding and instead purchase a 2012 Toyota Transit Connect van to travel the country in 2021. Petito recorded their journey on a YouTube channel she created called Nomadic Statik.

On Aug. 12, 2021, someone called 911 to report a domestic disturbance after seeing a man in a white van slapping a woman in Moab, Utah. But when police investigated, they determined Gabby was the aggressor and sent the couple on their way.

She was last seen alive Aug. 27. Gabby's body was found Sept. 19 at Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, near Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, according to the FBI's investigation. Her cause of death was determined to be "blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation," according to the Teton County Coroner’s Office.

A month later, a police search found Brian's remains in an area of Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park that had previously been underwater due to flooding, with an autopsy reporting that he'd died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

A waterproof notebook was discovered beside his body, containing an untrue version of the story of Gabby's death, claiming she had become unwell after getting caught up in some ice-cold water.

The note also contained a nine-word claim that was interpreted as his confession to her murder, after Brian wrote: "I ended her life, I thought it was merciful."

After looking at telephone records, the FBI found that - around the time that the autopsy ruled that Gabby had died - a text message had been sent to her from Brian's phone.

Brian attempted to cover his tracks by sending himself a series of texts. Brian's parents have also been linked to covering for Brian, but no chargess were ever filed against them. Again the Netflix documentary is chilling, and it's sad that a young girl's life was ended in such a violent and senseless way...

VIDEO BREAK: UNSOLVED MYSTERIES - BEYOND THE LEGACY

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASHA DEGREE

Twenty-five years to the day, young Asha Degree disappeared on Valentine's Day. In the early morning hours of February 14, 2000, for reasons unknown, she packed her bookbag, left her family home north of the city and began walking along nearby North Carolina Highway 18 despite heavy rain and wind. Several passing motorists saw her; when one turned around at a point 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from her home and began to approach her, she left the roadside and ran into a wooded area. In the morning, her parents discovered her missing from her bedroom. She has not been seen since.

From what Asha packed, she had planned this for weeks before the diaappearance. In March 2000, police erected a full-size color billboard, featuring Degree's image and identifying information, along Highway 18, near where Degree was last seen. In May 2001, stock car racing driver Travis Kittleson featured an image of Degree on the hood of his car for an event in Concord, North Carolina, which was broadcast live on TNN. Kittleson said, "We've got a perfect opportunity to put Asha's picture on our car and maybe, with any luck, we can help bring her home."

On August 3, 2001, Asha's bookbag and other items were discovered during a construction project off Highway 18 in Burke County, near Morganton, about 26 miles (42 km) north of Shelby. It was wrapped in two black trash bags. The worker who found it said the bookbag contained Asha's name and phone number. The FBI took it to their laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for further forensic analysis; results from that testing have not been shared publicly. To date, it is the last evidence found in the case. On the 20th anniversary of Asha's disappearance, the FBI confirmed that the bookbag contained a copy of Dr. Seuss's McElligot's Pool and a T-shirt depicting the band New Kids on the Block. Neither appeared to have been her property before they were found in her bag; the book was from the library at her elementary school.

The Degree Family has taken steps to keep the memory of Asha in the public eye but little new clues have turned up. In November 2020, an inmate named Marcus Mellon, who had been convicted of sex crimes against children six years earlier, wrote a letter to The Shelby Star, claiming that Degree was murdered and he knows where to find her. In February 2021, Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman announced that Mellon's claims had led to another dead end.

In September 2024, a search warrant was executed by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the FBI in relation to the disappearance of Asha Degree. A news release from the sheriff's office said the warrant was issued based on physical evidence in the case. No human remains were recovered, but multiple items of interest, including a green 1964 AMC Rambler, were taken from the site. The search warrant indicates that authorities believe Degree was a homicide victim and that her body has been concealed. Two local residents, a husband and wife, were named as suspects in the case. 

As of this Valentine's Day 2025 - no more news on the case. If you have any clues or anything that might assist in finding Asha, please reach out to me on this blog or contact the FBI...