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A girl who went missing from Cleveland County in 2000 is now believed to have been killed, according to court documents released Monday.
Degree has not been seen since she went missing the night of Feb. 14, 2000. Some of her belongings were found in Burke County more than one year after her disappearance. Her backpack was discovered about 30 miles from her last known location.
Multiple search warrants were executed in relation to the Dedmon family, who are connected to the case. These searches took place at various properties owned by family members, after DNA evidence linked them to Degreeās belongings.
Searches at Roy Dedmonās home yielded various items, including vehicles resembling those connected to Degree's disappearance. DNA samples and other evidence were collected in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Witnesses spotted Degree walking along Highway 18 the night she disappeared, and this area has significant relevance to her case. Search warrants revealed connections between Roy Dedmon and the locations where Degree's belongings were found.
Roy Dedmon's attorney stated he denies any involvement in Degree's disappearance, asking the community not to jump to conclusions based on the released search warrants. No remains have been found thus far.
The case has drawn ongoing attention from the FBI, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and local authorities over the past two decades. Investigators remain dedicated to finding Degree, with a reward for information leading to her whereabouts.
Degree was reported missing on February 14, 2000, with various leads and search efforts continuing for years after. New evidence and technology are being pursued to reinvigorate the search for answers.