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

 

[ima.grandma]

 

[Tresir]

I'm still curious as to why the road trip in the first place and how often she did take them, especially since it appears she was killed when they were nearly back home in comparison to the entire trip taken.

Unless she wanted to spend some time with her before she did it. But that still doesn't make sense if she wanted to kill her. Maybe she is a drug addict and just crazy.

 

[Tresir]

This doesn't look like the right Ashlee in the pic.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Unless she wanted to spend some time with her before she did it. But that still doesn't make sense if she wanted to kill her. Maybe she is a drug addict and just crazy.

I thought of that but she did a multi state trip within was it three days? That's no time for like stopping at attractions or doing things with her at all. I think the entire trip was to cover her tracks with the whole intent of getting rid of MB.

I relistened to the press conference and the words they use about AB are pretty damn*ing and very descriptive. Ruthless for one, amongst a lot of others. They know something imo we don't know.

 

[Tresir]

I thought of that but she did a multi state trip within was it three days? That's no time for like stopping at attractions or doing things with her at all. I think the entire trip was to cover her tracks with the whole intent of getting rid of MB.

I relistened to the press conference and the words they use about AB are pretty damn*ing and very descriptive. Ruthless for one, amongst a lot of others. They know something imo we don't know.

I am wondering if she was a drug runner or something. We still don't know where the false plates came from do we?

 

[Guess Who]

I am wondering if she was a drug runner or something. We still don't know where the false plates came from do we?

I am fairly certain that was what was happening.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I am wondering if she was a drug runner or something. We still don't know where the false plates came from do we?

No but I've heard since you can buy such online.

While the drug running is a possibility, I really don't see why anyone thinks that.

Many thought maybe Melodee was trafficked and now we know she was not. I almost never buy that one with children. It's rare despite what some would say. Maybe teens, not children, very rare. Thank God.

We've learned that she was supposedly disabled and she would have had a check for Melodee due to the father's death. That's enough to live on and get by imo. So I really don't see a reason for thinking she ran drugs.

It's certainly not impossible though.

I think much of it comes from her 1/2 way across the country trip.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I am fairly certain that was what was happening.

Can you explain why? Or where you get that?

Not being sarcastic, I'd really like to know.

 

[Guess Who]

Can you explain why? Or where you get that?

Not being sarcastic, I'd really like to know.

Her history and the trip itself, then add the plates to evade plate readers and then possibly thinking that backing in to get gas might keep her plates from being read (IF that is even the reason why she backed in. She might just be one that always backs in like a lot of truck drivers do.) Then add her possible history of renting cars when she had a car herself and her seemingly rapid weight loss and disguises. Not many other reasons why I can think of in doing all those things.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Her history and the trip itself, then add the plates to evade plate readers and then possibly thinking that backing in to get gas might keep her plates from being read (IF that is even the reason why she backed in. She might just be one that always backs in like a lot of truck drivers do.) Then add her possible history of renting cars when she had a car herself and her seemingly rapid weight loss and disguises. Not many other reasons why I can think of in doing all those things.

Valid reasons.

I do think based on the plate change that backing in was to cover not making it easy to see/track her on the trip where she killed her daughter. LE seems to be pretty sure of that.

I also recall the neighbors saying she backed into her garage and that that was unusual, so I don't think she did it typically. I recall thinking she was getting rid of evidence putting the trunk towards the back of the garage, etc.

I know she lost weight, not sure it was rapid? I know what you mean by that though.

It was said her vehicle was in wreck, hence the renting vehicles PLUS to cover her trip to kill MB, it fits along with the wigs, etc. She was trying to commit a crime and cover it and planned.

Did you hear something elsewhere that makes you think she did drug type runs? Again, seriously asking.

And the one time she couldn't rent a vehicle. If she was making money running drugs, that doesn't make much sense.

I don't know. I don't necessarily doubt it is possible but don't see reason to think it either.

Some of the things the PI said I found pretty doubtful. He had nothing to back such up but was getting attention. He is the only one who said she'd traveled like that before and yet it sounded doubtful and he had nothing to back such claims up.

I am really curious about her though. I wonder if we will find out more...? LE said they don't have a motive... I don't think they were lying, I don't think they do know. Might have some theories though, hard to say.

 

[Guess Who]

Valid reasons.

I do think based on the plate change that backing in was to cover not making it easy to see/track her on the trip where she killed her daughter. LE seems to be pretty sure of that.

I also recall the neighbors saying she backed into her garage and that that was unusual, so I don't think she did it typically. I recall thinking she was getting rid of evidence putting the trunk towards the back of the garage, etc.

I know she lost weight, not sure it was rapid? I know what you mean by that though.

It was said her vehicle was in wreck, hence the renting vehicles PLUS to cover her trip to kill MB, it fits along with the wigs, etc. She was trying to commit a crime and cover it and planned.

Did you hear something elsewhere that makes you think she did drug type runs? Again, seriously asking.

And the one time she couldn't rent a vehicle. If she was making money running drugs, that doesn't make much sense.

I don't know. I don't necessarily doubt it is possible but don't see reason to think it either.

Some of the things the PI said I found pretty doubtful. He had nothing to back such up but was getting attention. He is the only one who said she'd traveled like that before and yet it sounded doubtful and he had nothing to back such claims up.

I am really curious about her though. I wonder if we will find out more...? LE said they don't have a motive... I don't think they were lying, I don't think they do know. Might have some theories though, hard to say.

According to an article early on, she did trips like this often and rented cars often. Not just a one of situation. Her "wrecked" car was usable to her. It just looked like cosmetic damage from what I saw.

 

[GrandmaBear]

According to an article early on, she did trips like this often and rented cars often. Not just a one of situation. Her "wrecked" car was usable to her. It just looked like cosmetic damage from what I saw.

The only source I heard that from was the PI. As far as "often trips". He really hemmed and hawed and I didn't find him believable, I felt he was liking the attn. Just like Tyler with his duty to report or being an officer of the court. He was not.

I agree her car looked like cosmetic damage but who knows she may not have had insurance or current tabs, etc. And renting a car to kill MB it is obvious the reason for that.

I'm not disagreeing, I'm just not sold on the drug thing. It very well could be right. I didn't want to believe she killed her either.

There wasn't any hint of such in the presser. But of course they don't share everything.

It will be interesting to see if we find out. Not sure we will though.

What are you leaning towards on why she killed her daughter? That one would be total speculation. I've changed my opinion on that.

 

[Guess Who]

The only source I heard that from was the PI. As far as "often trips". He really hemmed and hawed and I didn't find him believable, I felt he was liking the attn. Just like Tyler with his duty to report or being an officer of the court. He was not.

I agree her car looked like cosmetic damage but who knows she may not have had insurance or current tabs, etc. And renting a car to kill MB it is obvious the reason for that.

I'm not disagreeing, I'm just not sold on the drug thing. It very well could be right. I didn't want to believe she killed her either.

There wasn't any hint of such in the presser. But of course they don't share everything.

It will be interesting to see if we find out. Not sure we will though.

What are you leaning towards on why she killed her daughter? That one would be total speculation. I've changed my opinion on that.

No insurance would disqualify you from renting cars in the first place and the tags appeared current on the pics I saw of it. I am also positive it would have been mentioned if people had witnessed her taking off in a car with expired tags since they were there when she took off and came back.

 

[GrandmaBear]

No insurance would disqualify you from renting cars in the first place and the tags appeared current on the pics I saw of it. I am also positive it would have been mentioned if people had witnessed her taking off in a car with expired tags since they were there when she took off and came back.

She apparently did have trouble renting cars other than that time. She tried again and couldn't. She easily could have known someone or used some other name, etc.

I'm not saying it couldn't be the case, I'm just not sold on drug running.

 

[GrandmaBear]

And if she was drug running she should have had money...

 

[RoundPeg]

I'm just throwing stuff at the wall.

IF she was having a relapse into psychosis, she may have thought "if I can't have her, no one can".

Or thinking she was saving her from genetics?

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm just throwing stuff at the wall.

IF she was having a relapse into psychosis, she may have thought "if I can't have her, no one can".

Or thinking she was saving her from genetics?

I get the if I can't have her, no one can. Kind of what I thought most of the time, but I hoped she hid her with someone, etc. but as time went on, it was hard to believe.

Not sure what you mean about genetics?

I'm not sure of anything. So don't have a solid opinion. I too am wondering and hope we find out.

She was so "okay" on that recording, and not dumb that it makes it difficult for me to believe the psychosis kind of thing. She's been very aware, throughout, and protecting herself, etc...?

 

[Guess Who]

I'm beginning to wonder if there is a possible schizophrenia phycosis incident that possibly occurred. That or possible drug induced phycosis. It would explain a lot, if so.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm beginning to wonder if there is a possible schizophrenia phycosis incident that possibly occurred. That or possible drug induced phycosis. It would explain a lot, if so.

Just for that time period? You did listen to LE right and how calculated she was? You did hear her on the recording that idiot Tyler guy made?

Isn't that the assumption or argument of almost every defense nowadays when there isn't another?

It's still not NGI. Even if so.

Drug induced perhaps. But she's still responsible.

I don't know, do you really quit that easily if so addicted and everyone is watching you and your house. Deliveries from like Wmart but no drug deliveries....

Everything LE said makes this sound evil, calculated and nothing that can be blamed on anything else. Of course a D will try though.

Drug abuse and other things are not an excuse. They certainly are trying to get people to slowly accept such though and feel sympathy for the perpetrators over the victims.

Who is it I heard say yesterday, I can't recall, that she had one kid taken away and why wasn't Melodee... Blaming DCF/CPS.

While I agree DCF deserves to be blamed at times, that was years apart in this case.

Perpetrators are not the victims. And it's very rare someone is NGI.

 

[Sunburst]

Being tried in CA. They believe intent was formed there.

They should bring additional charges in Utah as well, for things like abuse of a corpse, concealment, child abuse, failure to report a homicide, or whatever. Utah has the DP and they have no qualms about implementing it.