Body of Missing 9-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard Found, Mother in Custody – A Timeline of the Case
The search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard of Lompoc, California, has tragically ended with the discovery of her body earlier this month. This update follows a two-month inquiry that spanned multiple states and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. HereS a comprehensive look at the case, the key developments, and what you need to know.
The Initial Disappearance & Investigation
the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation on October 14th after a school administrator reported Melodee absent for several days. Detectives quickly learned that Melodee and her mother, 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard, had embarked on a road trip beginning October 7th.
Here’s a breakdown of the initial timeline:
* October 7th: Melodee and Ashlee Buzzard were last seen together at a Lompoc rental car business. Notably, security footage showed both individuals wearing wigs.
* October 7th: The pair left California in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, license plate 9MNG101.
* October 9th: Melodee was last visually confirmed on security camera footage near the Colorado-Utah border during their return trip.
* October 8th onwards: The vehicle was observed with a different license plate – a New York plate, HCG967 – raising further questions. Authorities are still investigating when and why the plate was changed.
The Road Trip & Search area
The investigation revealed a notable travel pattern. Melodee and her mother traveled as far as Nebraska before turning back towards California.Investigators tracked the vehicle’s potential route, which included:
* Green River and Panguitch, Utah
* Northwest Arizona
* Primm, Nevada
* Rancho Cucamonga, California
This wide geographic area complex the search efforts, requiring coordination across multiple law enforcement agencies.
Recent Developments & Mother’s Custody
On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department announced “major developments” in the case, scheduled to be detailed in a 2 p.m. news conference. Concurrently, Ashlee Buzzard was taken back into custody.
Here’s what we certainly know:
* Custody: Neighbors in Vandenberg Village reported seeing deputies escort Ashlee Buzzard from her home early Tuesday morning.
* Unclear Charges: The reason for buzzard’s re-arrest was initially unclear, but has since been revealed (see below).
* Body Found: A law enforcement source confirmed to NBC News that Melodee’s body was discovered out of state. Details surrounding the discovery are still emerging.
Charges Filed Against Ashlee buzzard
Ashlee Buzzard has been charged with felony false imprisonment,stemming from an unrelated incident. She was initially arrested in November for this offense. This arrest, coupled with the discovery of Melodee’s body, has intensified scrutiny of Buzzard’s actions and potential involvement in her daughter’s death.
What This Means for You
This is a heartbreaking case that underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspicious activity. If you have any information, no matter how small, regarding Melodee Buzzard or Ashlee Buzzard’s travels, please contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department promptly.
The Sheriff’s Department is expected to provide further details during their scheduled news conference. We will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
Resources:
* Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department X Post
* NBC News Report
* [KSBY Report on Mother’s Custody](https://www.ksby.com/lompoc-valley/mother-of-mel
Worth a look