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

 

[Guess Who]

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.

I never said it didn't make her responsible. I'm not blaming anybody but Ashlee for any if this. I don't see where anybody is blaming DCF, either.

Schizophrenic psycosis incidents can last for months. Drug induced psycosis incidents can last as long as the drugs last.

 

[GrandmaBear]

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 i

that's a good point. CA has the DP but it is almost a joke that they do these days.

I do think they could bring those addl charges regardless of what stated they happened with. I wonder if they will add more charges? One state has to charge though I'd think?

I mean if you take Daybell, there was AZ and ID BUT they were different victims and crimes.

I'd think whichever state takes precedence in this one, handles it, that they could handle all charges so long as they relate to MB and her murder.

Charges could be brought in either state I believe but CA said they were taking it. UT might be the better choice...

 

[Kimster]

This is mostly the same as the short I linked but a bit more in it. More of the home shown I think. i think it likely that LE caused some of the mess while searching, that's my guess.

Noting because I want to watch this when I can

 

[GrandmaBear]

I never said it didn't make her responsible. I'm not blaming anybody but Ashlee for any if this. I don't see where anybody is blaming DCF, either.

Schizophrenic psycosis incidents can last for months. Drug induced psycosis incidents can last as long as the drugs last.

Oh I've heard it out there as to DCF already.

I didn't mean it as you meant it as she wasn't responsible. Just commenting on it.

 

[Sunburst]

that's a good point. CA has the DP but it is almost a joke that they do these days.

I do think they could bring those addl charges regardless of what stated they happened with. I wonder if they will add more charges? One state has to charge though I'd think?

I mean if you take Daybell, there was AZ and ID BUT they were different victims and crimes.

I'd think whichever state takes precedence in this one, handles it, that they could handle all charges so long as they relate to MB and her murder.

Charges could be brought in either state I believe but CA said they were taking it. UT might be the better choice...

I believe Utah would be the better choice.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I believe Utah would be the better choice.

I agree.

AT first I was thinking they really did a good job here, bullet casings, all that, but with some time, i started to wonder if the couple hadn't come across MB's body, WOULD they have ever arrested her for anything...? Not sure honestly...

And before he answered, I would have thought UT would be the natural jurisdiction because that is where MB was found... Not that it couldn't be either I suppose... I haven't seen anyone discussing that and they should as now I am wondering...

And then there is the fact that it IS CA. Doesn't always give me the most confidence with trials...

I don't know... i wonder if a defense could challenge the jurisdiction... I lean towards not really but then the idea that her intent was formed there seems a bit iffy unless they know more than they've shared. However, it was her home and where she was reported missing...

I DID right away think about federal charges though... She definitely crossed state lines. But did she in commission of the crime... She didn't exactly "kidnap" her.

Now I'm wondering if there was a reason for UT other than her trying to get away with this far from home to hide what she did...

What is your reasoning for thinking UT would be the better choice? I do agree but wondering what your thoughts are for that?

 

[Sunburst]

I agree.

AT first I was thinking they really did a good job here, bullet casings, all that, but with some time, i started to wonder if the couple hadn't come across MB's body, WOULD they have ever arrested her for anything...? Not sure honestly...

And before he answered, I would have thought UT would be the natural jurisdiction because that is where MB was found... Not that it couldn't be either I suppose... I haven't seen anyone discussing that and they should as now I am wondering...

And then there is the fact that it IS CA. Doesn't always give me the most confidence with trials...

I don't know... i wonder if a defense could challenge the jurisdiction... I lean towards not really but then the idea that her intent was formed there seems a bit iffy unless they know more than they've shared. However, it was her home and where she was reported missing...

I DID right away think about federal charges though... She definitely crossed state lines. But did she in commission of the crime... She didn't exactly "kidnap" her.

Now I'm wondering if there was a reason for UT other than her trying to get away with this far from home to hide what she did...

What is your reasoning for thinking UT would be the better choice? I do agree but wondering what your thoughts are for that?

I have absolutely NO confidence, none, zip, zilch, nada, in the way the alleged justice system in CA works. Crossing state lines and kidnapping charges would be great if the mom did not have legal custody. If she crossed state lines just to dispose of her body, then charges should apply for that, maybe one or two of those "after the fact" charges. NAL, though.

 

[Sunburst]

The 'hard-knock' life of Melodee Buzzard

Melodee Buzzard, nine, had died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, authorities determined, as they took Ashlee into custody for the young girl's death on Tuesday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[GrandmaBear]

I have absolutely NO confidence, none ,zip, zilch, nada, in the way the alleged justice system in CA works. Crossing state lines and kidnapping charges would be great if the mom did not have legal custody. If she crossed state lines just to dispose of her body, then charges should apply for that, maybe one or two of those "after the fact" charges. NAL, though.

Well, glad to hear that someone thinks as I do of CA and their justice system. I did think though maybe different counties differ although state law would be the same. I'm knocking CA all of the time about various things, no offense intended of course to those that live there.

I don't know much about Utah's though. I know I don't think much of ID's at times. And CO's.

I'm also as worried about CA jurors quite honestly because we all know one case in which they failed. Big time.

I'm worried right now in the Reiner case that he will be "bought" an outcome.

I don't know, I think since MB was found in UT it COULD be tried there?

I know like in divorce and in civil cases you can file either where you live or where the other party lives.

They don't carry out the DP AND their sentencing is light AND I don't trust their appeal judges either (CA).

I tried not to think that way but lol NOW you have me worried. Oh and I ALSO don't think much of their DCF. Again I had hoped it was not the entire state though...

I will say I AM happy it's first degree and they feel they have enough for first degree.

I wonder how hard LE in UT was searching for MB. Of course there was more than one big area as far as we know that she could have been. Of course CA LE is not going to go to UT searching, imo.

In UT many in power are LDS. Again meaning no offense to anyone who is, I'm not sure I trust that either.

CA is without doubt though not trustworthy. They are the worst state imo with a lot of things.

 

[RoundPeg]

Utah is moving away from the death penalty. They have executed maybe 8 people in 50 years and have a handful of prisoners on death row. So, just because a state has the death penalty it doesn't mean a whole lot.

I just want to see LWOP for Ashlee.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Utah is moving away from the death penalty. They have executed maybe 8 people in 50 years and have a handful of prisoners on death row. So, just because a state has the death penalty it doesn't mean a whole lot.

I just want to see LWOP for Ashlee.

Yes so long as LWOP is truly LWOP and no appeals nor new laws overturn such ever.

The Menendez brothers were initially sentenced to LWOP but then they were resentenced due to some CA juvenile offender law which is why they come up for parole now.

Not that that would apply to AB.

I'm for the DP in some cases but it's largely useless in that even with the states who do carry it out, the appeals halt it for decades on end, or a politician gets voted in who puts a moratorium on it, etc. About the only thing it does these days is give the P a bargaining chip. If they start with that, they can come down to just LWOP in a deal. Jmo.

I think AB will hate not being able to wear wigs and makeup. For life.

Here is a question I don't know the answer to, will she still receive a disability check (it was said she is on disability, I forget where) which gives me another question. Also, if someone is in prison for life can they at retirement age pull a SS check if they put in the required work credits? Not sure I've ever thought about or wondered that before...

 

[Guess Who]

I also wonder if she was found in the same clothes that she was spotted in at the rental agency. As in, was this trip planned in a way to pack properly or were they in the same clothes for 3 days because it was a chaos run?

 

[GrandmaBear]

I also wonder if she was found in the same clothes that she was spotted in at the rental agency. As in, was this trip planned in a way to pack properly or were they in the same clothes for 3 days because it was a chaos run?

Hmm. It was definitely a lot of travel packed into 3 days. There was that one account from some gas station clerk that made it sound as if there was another woman with her wasn't there an account like that, from someone the PI had talked to? I didn't really trust it. Didn't she also mention a PURPLE wig?

Sounds to me LE does not have any reason to think anyone else was involved and so AB would have been doing all of the driving. Imo it's too fast of a trip to have been taking MB to do some fun things before taking her life.

I can't think of his name right now but I'm sure most recall that one mom who took her son and who the father hopes is still alive (I doubt it) and she took him to do some fun things like I can't recall, maybe the zoo and the Dells or something and she was found to have killed herself in her hotel room but he wasn't there. It seemed she was giving him some fun last experiences...

I don't get that vibe here. And the trip was quick for as far as it was round trip.

Interesting thought about any changes of clothing or packing. We do know they had wigs and she took a gun and ammo. There definitely is SOME planning.

 

[Kimster]

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.

If someone diagnosed her with a serious mental health problem, her daughter shouldn’t have been with her alone. No way.

 

[Kimster]

I have absolutely NO confidence, none ,zip, zilch, nada, in the way the alleged justice system in CA works. Crossing state lines and kidnapping charges would be great if the mom did not have legal custody. If she crossed state lines just to dispose of her body, then charges should apply for that, maybe one or two of those "after the fact" charges. NAL, though.

Agreed. Keeping violent criminals behind bars is not something that the West Coast excels in.

 

[Guess Who]

If someone diagnosed her with a serious mental health problem, her daughter shouldn’t have been with her alone. No way.

Just because they have mental health issues, even serious ones, doesn't necessarily mean kids should be taken away from them, even as single parents. Monitored, sure. Taken away is a huge leap.

do you realize how many kids would have no homes to go to if all of those with parents with even serious mental health issues were taken away? That's quite the slippery slope there.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't see any reason to believe AB had any legit mental health issues, not that would be any defense anyhow.

She did though allegedly not raise one of her kids/taken away but that account never seemed to be verified and I'm not sure people weren't mixing up the stepsister of MB with one of hers.

Her mother remarked about the state of her house on just one occasion but that also could be just a lazy pig of a parent or hard times.

Per dad's family, there supposedly was one incident but years ago where she lost her temporarily is that what it was?

LE seemed very clear in that she planned this, premeditated it and we all know some of the extent she went to to cover it up, conceal what she was doing, etc.

She most definitely does not fit an NGI defense.

She also doesn't look like a meth addict to me. The woman has a fair butt and legs and looks more muscled imo. She cares about her appearance when one considers the makeup, wigs and clothing.

No one take me wrong please but does every criminal in CA now have schizophrenia?

Maybe she does/is some of these things, who knows but I for one haven't seen much reason to think any of these things. I've seen talking heads suppose such things or speculate but that's about it.

And it can always be argued that any murderer, especially of one of their own, has something wrong with them but it doesn't mean such things are the cause.

She's pretty put together and went through all of this without cracking or saying one word of anything useful to incriminate herself.

She strikes me as smart and calculated just as LE pretty much said.

I'm leaning more towards she did this for purely selfish reasons.

Of course I certainly could be wrong. Any of us could be.

What worries me right now is that we may never actually learn the whole truth even when it goes to trial. And I do want to know.

 

[GrandmaBear]

His family would like it believed but then when one listens for real to like his mom, she hardly knew her.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Agreed. Keeping violent criminals behind bars is not something that the West Coast excels in.

Can't disagree on that. Sadly.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Nothing really new but discussions. First with the PI whose thoughts I still don't take to heart, Joe though said as we all know that mental illness is no defense in murder and it's a very narrow law/window to be deemed NGI or use it.

I like Sara a lot better than Ashley Banfield. Ashley irritates me.

It's not all about Buzzard, it goes on into Kepner.