FBI officials and Santa Barbara County investigators conducted a search at the home of Melodee Buzzard, a 9-year-old girl missing since early October. Melodee was last seen with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, on October 7, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. The search began on October 14 after a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence.
On Thursday, federal and local investigators served search warrants at the Buzzard residence on Mars Avenue near Constellation Road in Lompoc. They also searched a storage locker and the rental car in which Melodee was last seen. Detectives believe that Ashlee and her daughter traveled from Santa Barbara County to Nebraska in a white Chevrolet Malibu rental. During the searches, Ashlee was escorted to an alternate location to avoid interference with the investigation, as reported by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities are working with limited information, relying on years-old photos and facing challenges due to Ashlee’s alleged uncooperativeness. Surveillance images from October 7 show Melodee wearing a wig and hooded sweatshirt, possibly to disguise her appearance. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff has expressed hope that Melodee might be with someone unaware of the circumstances.
The investigation continues as detectives focus on the critical timeline between October 7 and October 10. They urge the public to share any information that could assist in locating Melodee. Sheriff Bill Brown emphasized the importance of public cooperation, stating, “We remain determined to bring her home safely.”
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