CA MELODEE BUZZARD: Missing from Vandenberg Village, CA - 9 Oct 2025 - Age 9 *Found Deceased*

https://ktla.com/news/california/california-authorities-launch-search-for-girl-who-hasnt-been-seen-in-at-least-1-year/

California authorities launch search for girl who hasn’t been seen in at least 1 year​

Authorities in Santa Barbara County launched a search for a 9-year-old girl who has not been seen in a year, and who has not been seen in a photograph in two.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office began searching for Melodee Buzzard on Tuesday after a school administrator reported she hadn’t been at school in quite some time.

Deputies attempted to contact Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, at their home in Lompoc, but the elementary school student was not there, and “no clear explanation was provided for her whereabouts.”

Although the missing persons case is only one-day-old, detectives have been unable to confirm a single recent sighting in about a year. The most recent photograph they were able to locate was taken at least two years ago, officials said.

The Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about Melodee, potential sightings or contact in the past year, to come forward.

“Even small details may be critical in helping investigators ensure her safety,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release.


Media - MELODEE BUZZARD: Missing from Vandenberg Village, CA - 2024 - Age 9

 

[Kimster]

How much was Lori Daybell getting? Does anyone remember off the top of their head?

 

[GrandmaBear]

If she doesn't work, that would be low enough income for a family of two for other benefits I'm pretty sure. However, she may very well work as well. What is the cash payment in CA for what would have formerly been called welfare or afdc? Not sure what it is called nowadays.

I'd say it was possible she had life insurance or something from Melodee's dad but there is no indication they were ever married so that's unlikely.

She was living in a home, not an apartment and she formerly did have credit and so it would seem she was doing all right at one point or until recently...

 

[Kimster]

If she doesn't work, that would be low enough income for a family of two for other benefits I'm pretty sure. However, she may very well work as well. What is the cash payment in CA for what would have formerly been called welfare or afdc? Not sure what it is called nowadays.

I'd say it was possible she had life insurance or something from Melodee's dad but there is no indication they were ever married so that's unlikely.

She was living in a home, not an apartment and she formerly did have credit and so it would seem she was doing all right at one point or until recently...

In the beginning, I was wondering if the home was supplied by family, but after the family reports have been coming out, I don’t think that’s likely either.

 

[Kimster]

How much was Lori Daybell getting? Does anyone remember off the top of their head?

I saw a post on Reddit that said it was close to $6000 a month. Seems like it was a really huge amount. But I don’t remember the details.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The way it worked when my sister passed away was that you get survivor benefits for the minor child, and then you get benefits for the person taking care of the child, unless that person receives a lot of income elsewhere. My nephew and his caregiver received around $3000 a month. And that was in 2004! My sister worked as a bank teller. I don’t know how they calculate it, nor do I know how much is involved in this case, but it could be more than we think. That’s all I’m saying.

There is a family benefit or limit. I didn't look into that.

Yeah, I had siblings that received it as their mother died when they were young. Not sure if my dad received any but he may have, I'll have to ask my mom one day. I never had the impression it was a whole lot but that was WAY back when.

 

[GrandmaBear]

That appears to be the average amount, correct?

It sounds like it as that's what the heading of that paragraph says. And that's just for the child.

 

[GrandmaBear]

How much was Lori Daybell getting? Does anyone remember off the top of their head?

I recall hearing $3,000 for JJ but that's different, his parents were not dead, I assume it had something to do with his autism. She let Tylee have hers after Joe died. It does come to the parent for a minor as I recall. They are I believe to use it for the child but they do have access to it. Providing food and housing is for the child imo so it can be used by the parent.

 

[Kimster]

Chad and Lori's finances under scrutiny during Wednesday testimony

The Social Security Administration paid Lori Vallow-Daybell nearly $23,000 between October 2019 and January 2020. The money was meant for her children — Tylee Ryan, 16, and J.J. Vallow, 7,

www.rexburgstandardjournal.com

Found it. Wasn’t quite $6000 a month but it was a hefty amount. Of course, Charles was known to make good money. I don’t know how that figured in for Tylee’s benefit however.

We have no idea what Melodee’s dad did for a living, do we?

 

[GrandmaBear]

In the beginning, I was wondering if the home was supplied by family, but after the family reports have been coming out, I don’t think that’s likely either.

They live in a home, not an apartment. Every time we see a picture of her leaving the home (the mom), or anywhere, she is well dressed and groomed it seems. The same can be said for Melodee, the few pictures we have seen. I'd say it appears there was adequate income, at least for a time--now she is in trouble for credit card debt.

However, she apparently does not have a car as she had to rent one. But maybe she had one and it was recently taken if she wasn't making the payments. Speculation on my part.

 

[Kimster]

They live in a home, not an apartment. Every time we see a picture of her leaving the home (the mom), or anywhere, she is well dressed and groomed it seems. The same can be said for Melodee, the few pictures we have seen. I'd say it appears there was adequate income, at least for a time--now she is in trouble for credit card debt.

However, she apparently does not have a car as she had to rent one. But maybe she had one and it was recently taken if she wasn't making the payments. Speculation on my part.

She had a car because she took it out one day and when it came back, it was damaged.

Yes, I agree with you and I felt this way from the beginning, everything appears to be great on the surface. Nice home well kept. Even the yard is kept up, from the pictures we’ve seen.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Chad and Lori's finances under scrutiny during Wednesday testimony

The Social Security Administration paid Lori Vallow-Daybell nearly $23,000 between October 2019 and January 2020. The money was meant for her children — Tylee Ryan, 16, and J.J. Vallow, 7,

www.rexburgstandardjournal.com

Found it. Wasn’t quite $6000 a month but it was a hefty amount. Of course, Charles was known to make good money. I don’t know how that figured in for Tylee’s benefit however.

We have no idea what Melodee’s dad did for a living, do we?

No, I don't think so. I wondered if he was military just based on what you said of the area. I don't think they were married BUT he may well have been paying child support but that would have stopped long ago.

Tylee's would have come from Joe's death, not Charles. Charles never adopted Lori's kids I'm pretty sure.

 

[Kimster]

Now that I’m thinking about it, I think Melodee’s father was older because doesn’t Melodee have an older sister who is an adult? Seems like in one of the reports it said that. If that’s true, then he had a longer work history and the benefits would be higher. And the mom doesn’t want to say where Melodee is because she doesn’t want to lose her caregiver benefits. The minor has to be your dependent in order to receive them.

 

[Kimster]

No, I don't think so. I wondered if he was military just based on what you said of the area. I don't think they were married BUT he may well have been paying child support but that would have stopped long ago.

Tylee's would have come from Joe's death, not Charles. Charles never adopted Lori's kids I'm pretty sure.

Yes, I knew Tylee’s would come from Joe. I just don’t remember what Joe did for a living and we don’t need to look it up, we found the information.

 

[GrandmaBear]

She had a car because she took it out one day and when it came back, it was damaged.

Yes, I agree with you and I felt this way from the beginning, everything appears to be great on the surface. Nice home well kept. Even the yard is kept up, from the pictures we’ve seen.

I forgot about that so yes a car too. She probably used a rental hoping not to be seen or followed, etc.

The fact that all appeared to be normal is one of the things that gives me hope. There's no evidence of physical abuse or anything like that as I recall. There is talk of some mental issues and maybe a time or two that played in but such were some time in the past.

Ashlee was seen recently. More hope.

Why would she kill her now AFTER they are looking for her? Doesn't make much sense to me.

Parents who do that generally do it as they know if LE or anyone sees the child they may see bruises, burns, fractures, etc. as the child was being abused. There is no indication of that here and Ashlee was seen with her.

So I am still hoping...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Now that I’m thinking about it, I think Melodee’s father was older because doesn’t Melodee have an older sister who is an adult? Seems like in one of the reports it said that. If that’s true, then he had a longer work history and the benefits would be higher. And the mom doesn’t want to say where Melodee is because she doesn’t want to lose her caregiver benefits. The minor has to be your dependent in order to receive them.

Somewhere in this thread I think is his age, the age he was when he died in the crash. Did anyone find his obit? I don't think so. Be interesting to see who was listed as family members for him. Offhand I think it said he was 30 something. And it was some time back. I don't think we know how old mom is though do we?

I don't know about her not wanting to say where Melodee is for that reason as Melodee was recently with her. I guess though she could have been elsewhere and she went and got her but then why not just take her home where it appears she IS living with you?

I wonder what the search of the home found and what I mean is was there any evidence of Melodee living with her? An appointment card on the counter? Her room intact? Two cereal bowls and glasses in the sink? Two toothbrushes in the bathroom? Just some examples.

 

[Kimster]

I forgot about that so yes a car too. She probably used a rental hoping not to be seen or followed, etc.

The fact that all appeared to be normal is one of the things that gives me hope. There's no evidence of physical abuse or anything like that as I recall. There is talk of some mental issues and maybe a time or two that played in but such were some time in the past.

Ashlee was seen recently. More hope.

Why would she kill her now AFTER they are looking for her? Doesn't make much sense to me.

Parents who do that generally do it as they know if LE or anyone sees the child they may see bruises, burns, fractures, etc. as the child was being abused. There is no indication of that here and Ashlee was seen with her.

So I am still hoping...

Don’t give up hope! However, the school didn’t notify the authorities until four days after Ashlee came back from the trip.
Also, for some reason, a family member had custody of Melodee at one point due to some kind of neglect. We don’t have the details.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yes, I knew Tylee’s would come from Joe. I just don’t remember what Joe did for a living and we don’t need to look it up, we found the information.

Yeah no need I agree. We know that Lori definitely benefited financially from dead husbands and children and her lover's wife's death. That's all we need to know really isn't it...

 

[Kimster]

Somewhere in this thread I think is his age, the age he was when he died in the crash. Did anyone find his obit? I don't think so. Be interesting to see who was listed as family members for him. Offhand I think it said he was 30 something. And it was some time back. I don't think we know how old mom is though do we?

I don't know about her not wanting to say where Melodee is for that reason as Melodee was recently with her. I guess though she could have been elsewhere and she went and got her but then why not just take her home where it appears she IS living with you?

I wonder what the search of the home found and what I mean is was there any evidence of Melodee living with her? An appointment card on the counter? Her room intact? Two cereal bowls and glasses in the sink? Two toothbrushes in the bathroom? Just some examples.

Obituary information for Rubiell 'Pinoy' Meza

View Rubiell 'Pinoy' Meza's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com

Yep, he was gainfully employed for sure.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Don’t give up hope! However, the school didn’t notify the authorities until four days after Ashlee came back from the trip.
Also, for some reason, a family member had custody of Melodee at one point due to some kind of neglect. We don’t have the details.

I suspect that was the time years ago when I think LE was at her home and there was a mental crisis or some such that a family member had custody. It also could have been perhaps on the death of her father or some such. Either way, those things would have been a very long time ago and I don't think we know of anything since and she has apparently been raising Melodee since without incident, so far as we know. I also don't put total store into what another side says and it did not come from LE.

I did not realize that with the dates. You are sure of that? I thought for some reason the trip came after the school's first notification. It's hard to keep track with dates as they kind of did this case backwards. Said she hadn't been seen in a year, then it was months, then it was like the same day she had been last seen and was not missing at all at that point...

 

[Kimster]

I suspect that was the time years ago when I think LE was at her home and there was a mental crisis or some such that a family member had custody. It also could have been perhaps on the death of her father or some such. Either way, those things would have been a very long time ago and I don't think we know of anything since and she has apparently been raising Melodee since without incident, so far as we know. I also don't put total store into what another side says and it did not come from LE.

I did not realize that with the dates. You are sure of that? I thought for some reason the trip came after the school's first notification. It's hard to keep track with dates as they kind of did this case backwards. Said she hadn't been seen in a year, then it was months, then it was like the same day she had been last seen and was not missing at all at that point...

I posted the timeline up thread. It came from one of the news articles in this thread. I can’t remember which one.