Body of Missing 9-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard Found, Mother Arrested
UPDATE: The body of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has been discovered in a rural area of Wayne County, Utah, leading to the arrest of her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, 40. Authorities confirmed the shocking news on November 7, 2025, as investigations revealed chilling details surrounding their travels and the circumstances of Melodee’s disappearance.
Officials from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced that DNA evidence linked the remains to Ashlee Buzzard, who was arrested following a series of searches of her home, a storage unit, and a rental car. In a grim discovery, detectives found a used cartridge case at her residence that matched ammunition located in the rental vehicle.
Melodee had been reported missing on October 14, prompting deputies to visit their home in Lompoc, California, where Ashlee refused to disclose her daughter’s whereabouts. Surveillance footage captured the pair leaving California on October 7, driving a rented 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. They traveled through several states, including Nebraska, with last confirmed sighting of Melodee on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah line.
Details from the investigation reveal disturbing changes in their appearance during the trip. Melodee was seen on video wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a wig, while Ashlee donned a long, curly wig. The mother allegedly swapped wigs multiple times and even altered the rental car’s license plate to evade detection. Following their return on October 10, Ashlee was seen at home without her daughter, raising further suspicions.
Detectives were actively searching for Melodee when Ashlee was arrested on unrelated charges, including preventing someone from leaving against their will. This revelation has intensified the focus on her actions leading up to the tragic discovery.
Local authorities are now urging anyone with information about the case to come forward as they continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Melodee’s death. The community is left heartbroken by this tragedy, with many expressing their grief and outrage over the loss of a young life.
As more details emerge, the public is left to grapple with the implications of this case. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials stress the importance of community vigilance in such serious matters.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
