New details have emerged in the case of nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was reported missing from her home near Lompoc on October 14.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Melodee was last seen with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, during a road trip that has left authorities puzzled. The FBI has joined the investigation, as Ashlee remains uncooperative.
Melodee and Ashlee embarked on a cross-country journey on October 7, renting a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. Surveillance footage captured the duo wearing disguises, including wigs, at a car rental agency. The trip took them from California through Utah, northwest Arizona, and Nevada, with a reported visit to Nebraska. However, Melodee was not seen with Ashlee upon her return to their home on October 10.
Authorities have shared a map of the likely route taken and urged residents in these areas to review any surveillance footage from that weekend. The sheriff’s office has highlighted the importance of any contact with Melodee or Ashlee between October 9 and October 10. Complicating the investigation, the car’s license plate was switched from a California plate to a New York plate during the trip, a tactic believed to avoid detection. The original plate was reinstalled when the vehicle was returned.
Melodee, who stands approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 60 pounds, has brown curly hair and brown eyes. Investigators believe the wig she wore may have significantly altered her appearance. The last confirmed sighting of Melodee was on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border.
Family members have expressed concern, with Melodee’s aunt, Bridgett Truitt, stating, “She hasn’t let us see her for a few years. And all of us have tried. But we never stopped thinking about her or loving her or praying for her.” Melodee’s father reportedly died in a motorcycle crash when she was a baby.
The sheriff’s office has classified Melodee as an “at-risk missing person” due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Investigators are focusing on the road trip and are examining Ashlee’s history along the route. Former FBI agent Brad Garrett suggested that tracking credit card use and license plate readers could provide crucial information.
Authorities have conducted searches at the Buzzards’ home and surrounding areas, looking for any evidence of foul play or clues about Melodee’s whereabouts. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information to contact them at 805-681-4150. Anonymous tips can be made at 805-681-4171 or through the sheriff’s website.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement may consider potential charges against Ashlee if she remains uncooperative.
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