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]

haven't heard from her family if she has one. still hoping maybe the child is with one of them. i'm not overly hopeful but so far we do not have signs of foul play.

 

[Kimster]

Neighbors, family concerned following Vandenberg Village 9-year-old’s disappearance

Authorities say they’ve spoken with Melodee Buzzard’s mother, Ashlee, but that she hasn't provided information as to where her daughter may be.

www.ksby.com

Picture of the mother taken by reporters.

 

[Kimster]

Aren't there any laws in California about not being able to produce the whereabouts of a minor child? That's how Lori Daybell's case got started

 

[Guess Who]

Aren't there any laws in California about not being able to produce the whereabouts of a minor child? That's how Lori Daybell's case got started

Pretty sure that will come next. It took a while in that case too.

 

[Kimster]

Pretty sure that will come next. It took a while in that case too.

And I am thinking that they can arrest her for receiving SSI for Melodee due to her dad being deceased. When my sister passed away, the family member who cared for my nephew rec'd SSI money for him, as well as her for being his caregiver.

 

[Guess Who]

And I am thinking that they can arrest her for receiving SSI for Melodee due to her dad being deceased. When my sister passed away, the family member who cared for my nephew rec'd SSI money for him, as well as her for being his caregiver.

That would come after her not being able to produce her. I'm sure there is an order for that coming very soon. They would need proof that melodee was not living with her for whatever amount of time to be able to say she was receiving fraudulently.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I have the probably futile hope that she does not want to be in trouble for receiving benefits for a child she doesn't have but that the child is elsewhere. This would explain her not wanting to provide an answer as to where she is. If she is not living with her, she should not be receive benefits, whether through SS or other assistance.

She already has bill collectors after her and she may not want to face possible jail if falsely receiving benefits.

However, I also worry the case will turn out as most others do, just hoping not.

 

[Kimster]

Things are looking up!

California authorities trying to track down missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard now say she was last spotted in August 2025, after initially saying she hadn't been seen since October 2024.

Even though the timeline is tighter, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is still urging the public to help find Melodee, as the department has not received any verified information about her current whereabouts.

Missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was seen 2 months ago, investigators say

California authorities trying to track down a missing 9-year-old girl now say she was last spotted in August 2025.

abcnews.go.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Things are looking up!

California authorities trying to track down missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard now say she was last spotted in August 2025, after initially saying she hadn't been seen since October 2024.

Even though the timeline is tighter, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is still urging the public to help find Melodee, as the department has not received any verified information about her current whereabouts.

Missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was seen 2 months ago, investigators say

California authorities trying to track down a missing 9-year-old girl now say she was last spotted in August 2025.

abcnews.go.com

Well that's certainly better. But I still don't like that mom has no answer for where she is and is not cooperating.

 

[Kimster]

Well that's certainly better. But I still don't like that mom has no answer for where she is and is not cooperating.

I'm concerned about a report that she took some things from the house, was gone for awhile, and then came back with damage to the side of her car. I'm hoping the damage was already there and reporters just didn't notice it before.

 

[Guess Who]

Well that's certainly better. But I still don't like that mom has no answer for where she is and is not cooperating.

Me either.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I'm concerned about a report that she took some things from the house, was gone for awhile, and then came back with damage to the side of her car. I'm hoping the damage was already there and reporters just didn't notice it before.

It don't think it was there. You can see the car in the video. (But it's yellow. Could just not be visible from that angle / that lighting.)

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

It looks like this picture may be more recent. Possibly. Hard to tell with the angle but her face looks older.

Missing Vandenberg Village girl seen as recently as August, officials say

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a search for Melodee Buzzard, 9, had been launched after a school administrator reported her absence for a prolonged period of time.

www.ksby.com

Extended family members said they also did not have recent photos of the girl due to her mother not allowing them to see her for more than four years now.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Hard to say, I think she looks about the same age and it is just because in the other picture her hair was looser around her face.

If she was showing her teeth in the smile, it would be easier to tell. Imo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

August 2025 is a LOT better. Gives me more hope than I already was trying to have.

 

[Kimster]

It looks like this picture may be more recent. Possibly. Hard to tell with the angle but her face looks older.
View attachment 27376

Missing Vandenberg Village girl seen as recently as August, officials say

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a search for Melodee Buzzard, 9, had been launched after a school administrator reported her absence for a prolonged period of time.

www.ksby.com

Extended family members said they also did not have recent photos of the girl due to her mother not allowing them to see her for more than four years now.

Isn’t that the deceased father‘s family? What about her family? I don’t think any of the articles discussed what they know or don’t know.

 

[GrandmaBear]

All I've seen mentioned is the father's family. I wonder if the mother's is from Canada? Was the mother to have him but had put him in the hands of someone else? Or did she lose him (CPS, etc.) and he was placed in someone's care? Grandma, an uncle, anyone could have been the caretaker. A foster parent even.

They are too vague with "caretaker" to get any idea of who they mean and what is really going on here. Imo.

 

[Guess Who]

Isn’t that the deceased father‘s family? What about her family? I don’t think any of the articles discussed what they know or don’t know.

It says Happy thanksgiving so I would say either this last Thanksgiving or the one prior. That pic originally shown might be older than we think, too. She looks more 6 or so in it, to me.

 

[Guess Who]

Looking closer at the original pic, It looks like she possibly still has all baby teeth so more like 5ish.

 

[Guess Who]

It looks like this picture may be more recent. Possibly. Hard to tell with the angle but her face looks older.
View attachment 27376

Missing Vandenberg Village girl seen as recently as August, officials say

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a search for Melodee Buzzard, 9, had been launched after a school administrator reported her absence for a prolonged period of time.

www.ksby.com

Extended family members said they also did not have recent photos of the girl due to her mother not allowing them to see her for more than four years now.

It probably is one where she is older than the original pic we were shown. Look closely. It looks like she still has all her baby teeth. Most kids have lost at least one at 5 or 6.