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

 

[GrandmaBear]

On my own, not from either show, what both shows reminded of again was multiple gunshots, got me thinking about the lying in wait charge...

Is it possible if she was shot from behindthat that could make for lying in wait...? I have no idea, just a thought that crossed my mind... They have to have something that caused this charge... Since they were not there and did not see it what could it be...?

Of course I guess there COULD be some camera once they found out it was her if they checked the location BUT unlikely since it is said to be rural and remote, etc...

That charge just confounds me...

From Gigi's I guess LE was called by the couple on Dec. 6th. CA was notified on the 8th I think that it was a young female but the state of the remains needed DNA to confirm it was MB. Results came in I think on the 22nd from the FBI crime lab and she was arrested early morning the 23rd. So it was not ALL that long until we heard and she was arrested from when they likely knew but I'm guessing they "knew" or figured it was her but it hadn't been confirmed yet.

I will say pretty good job of LE in both states and the couple on keeping a lid on it. At least it appears they did.

 

[Tresir]

On my own, not from either show, what both shows reminded of again was multiple gunshots, got me thinking about the lying in wait charge...

Is it possible if she was shot from behindthat that could make for lying in wait...? I have no idea, just a thought that crossed my mind... They have to have something that caused this charge... Since they were not there and did not see it what could it be...?

Of course I guess there COULD be some camera once they found out it was her if they checked the location BUT unlikely since it is said to be rural and remote, etc...

That charge just confounds me...

From Gigi's I guess LE was called by the couple on Dec. 6th. CA was notified on the 8th I think that it was a young female but the state of the remains needed DNA to confirm it was MB. Results came in I think on the 22nd from the FBI crime lab and she was arrested early morning the 23rd. So it was not ALL that long until we heard and she was arrested from when they likely knew but I'm guessing they "knew" or figured it was her but it hadn't been confirmed yet.

I will say pretty good job of LE in both states and the couple on keeping a lid on it. At least it appears they did.

The couple would not have known it was someone from CA so even if they had told friends or family locally, they would not have connected it anyway, i guess.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The couple would not have known it was someone from CA so even if they had told friends or family locally, they would not have connected it anyway, i guess.

i guess. i would have likely put it together as i knew about the case and AB's trip and I'm not local but yeah, they probably were told little. even if i hadn't I would have probably googled about recent missing young girls IF they knew even that much. anyhow, just saying the news did not get out as far as we know and that no one leaked it.

 

[RoundPeg]

Here's a link on California's lying in wait statute.

Lying in Wait Murder in California | Eisner Gorin LLP

Review a lying in wait murder in California, which is a PC 189 first-degree murder when someone waits for their victim and kills them in an ambush-style attack.

www.egattorneys.com

 

[RoundPeg]

On my own, not from either show, what both shows reminded of again was multiple gunshots, got me thinking about the lying in wait charge...

Is it possible if she was shot from behindthat that could make for lying in wait...? I have no idea, just a thought that crossed my mind... They have to have something that caused this charge... Since they were not there and did not see it what could it be...?

Of course I guess there COULD be some camera once they found out it was her if they checked the location BUT unlikely since it is said to be rural and remote, etc...

That charge just confounds me...

From Gigi's I guess LE was called by the couple on Dec. 6th. CA was notified on the 8th I think that it was a young female but the state of the remains needed DNA to confirm it was MB. Results came in I think on the 22nd from the FBI crime lab and she was arrested early morning the 23rd. So it was not ALL that long until we heard and she was arrested from when they likely knew but I'm guessing they "knew" or figured it was her but it hadn't been confirmed yet.

I will say pretty good job of LE in both states and the couple on keeping a lid on it. At least it appears they did.

I just posted a link on the lying in wait statute. It makes sense now.

 

[Kimster]

Ok so it seems she was shot in Utah where she was found. "Cartridge cases found at the crime scene in Utah."

From the ksby article -

He said Melodee died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, adding that cartridge cases found at the crime scene in Utah were positively linked to an expended cartridge case that was found at Buzzard’s Mars Avenue home during one of the searches and also "a live round of similar ammunition" located inside her rental car.

Earlier this week, Sheriff Brown said the firearm used in the killing had not been recovered and a motive had also not been determined.
He states the case is being prosecuted in Santa Barbara County "since the intent was believed to have been formed here in our county prior to going on this road trip and committing the actual crime.”

Get rid of the firearm and still has live rounds in a rental car and at home? Stupid criminals are the easiest to put away. And I hope this “woman” is put away for the rest of her life.

 

[Kimster]

All I can think of is Melodee took a walk or AB told her to, like check out that view from over there, if on a trail, or she needed to "pee" and AB told her go off over there. And she waited for her to come back, maybe around a bend and shot her? That would be lying in wait... Hiding and waiting for someone so you can kill them by surprise...

BUT how would they KNOW that??

 

[Kimster]

Here's a link on California's lying in wait statute.

Lying in Wait Murder in California | Eisner Gorin LLP

Review a lying in wait murder in California, which is a PC 189 first-degree murder when someone waits for their victim and kills them in an ambush-style attack.

www.egattorneys.com

I didn’t read your post before I posted mine!

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well it made sense of course, the law, and interesting that it helps make it first degree murder in some cases.

They do have to prove it though.

I think it's a pretty easy assumption that Melodee had no idea her mother was going to kill her. One would hope and think. So that firts..

Maybe if she shot her from behind or they can show MB dropped where she was and AB was at what location or distance too... By trajectory, impact, etc.

Even if the bullet wounds were in front if she waited for her...

She definitely had a plan OR was waiting for the right opportunity on their trip...

We know she made efforts to conceal a lot of things with wigs, plates, more and that certainly shows premeditation...

I'm thinking one or all of those things is what they will argue. It would be better if they could show she was like waiting around a corner for her imo but doubtful they can do that.

There COULD be video from like where she parked or something but doubtful I think.

Now that they know where she died and location AB was when she killed her, they could have found more video leading up to then.

She deserves the DP imo but it will have to be LWOP. They'd better not give in on this one and make it happen. No deals for less.

 

[GrandmaBear]

A lot more here with talking to the uncle and grandma on the paternal side than i'd seen previously. A long way through but not all the way.

 

[GrandmaBear]

They then go to Koffendoffer who I think very little of. She is a talking head they shouldn't bother with imo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

They do talk about how UT or the Feds should take over the case and that it deserves the DP.

 

[Tresir]

They do talk about how UT or the Feds should take over the case and that it deserves the DP.

I cannot work out how they are going to prove the laying in wait.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I cannot work out how they are going to prove the laying in wait.

I am kind of struggling with it too although if she took MB on this trip with the intent of doing this and MB did not know, that kind of fits the definition right there and if they can add looking for the right spot, etc., etc. or even having it planned...

 

[Kimster]

I cannot work out how they are going to prove the laying in wait.

I'm thinking if she shot her from behind. They can tell where a bullet enters.

 

[Mel70]

I'm thinking if she shot her from behind. They can tell where a bullet enters.

Trajectory can be done. Yes.

 

[Mel70]

I am kind of struggling with it too although if she took MB on this trip with the intent of doing this and MB did not know, that kind of fits the definition right there and if they can add looking for the right spot, etc., etc. or even having it planned...

I wonder what poor Melodee was thinking with the disguises. I'm sure she had a bad feeling. Your own 9 year old child. Just evil. Evil n any case. But your own child goes beyond.

 

[Sunburst]

I wonder what poor Melodee was thinking with the disguises. I'm sure she had a bad feeling. Your own 9 year old child. Just evil. Evil n any case. But your own child goes beyond.

"Let's play dress-up! Here, put on this wig. I will help you.There. Keep it on, you look so cute! Now Mommy is going to put on this blonde curly wig and we will take a nice long car ride. We'll see if people notice us when we stop. Won't that be fun???!!!" - AB probably.

 

[Guess Who]

I'm thinking if she shot her from behind. They can tell where a bullet enters.

That is my thought and possibly from how far away it was from

 

[Kimster]

"Let's play dress-up! Here, put on this wig. I will help you.There. Keep it on, you look so cute! Now Mommy is going to put on this blonde curly wig and we will take a nice long car ride. We'll see if people notice us when we stop. Won't that be fun???!!!" - AB probably.

Well, let’s hope it was like that, but I don’t know