CA MELODEE BUZZARD: Missing from Vandenberg Village, CA - 9 Oct 2025 - Age 9 *Found Deceased* (2 Viewers)

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]

My local serial killer, Bob Berdella, put it best in that he said that pleading insanity is a cop out since you have to be insane to kill somebody if it wasn't a self defense situation. I can not disagree with him on that. .

 

[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.

Yes, if a legitimate chain car rental agency. I know of some that are kind of fly by night and privately owned.

There are probably 100 cars in our community garage right now and I couldn't tell you if any have expired tags. I sure don't look and imo only LE pays attention to such and they are hyper aware of it.

Who was there? You mean when she took the trip to kill her daughter? No one knew at that point she was missing. Supposedly.

I still think something alerted her before we know of the school's report to LE but could be wrong.

 

[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.

I wasn't saying you did. I did not direct it at anyone. Many out there and it seems to be becoming a theme these days seem to think mental health issues will get people off. Or think it releases them for blame or some such so I'm always going to say it doesn't. It's becoming too common in talk "out there". Like in the Reiner case too.

You know, I know not all have the same signs or looks of drug addicts but even so, she just does not look like a meth addict to me. Maybe some other drug. IF any. She's been holed up in her home and probably followed or tracked when she leaves for some time now so if she was on something, it would sure be hard for her to be getting them this past how long of a time. Cold turkey?

She's not toothless, her face doesn't bear signs, and again she isn't wasting away by any means. She isn't as heavy as she once once but she's not gaunt and with shadows and sores.

LE in this case throughout have shared VERY LITTLE. And what they have shared I think was carefully considered before they released. Not much of anything is confirmed.

They consider her calculated and ruthless.

Just doesn't sound like someone out of control on drugs to me.

 

[GrandmaBear]

My local serial killer, Bob Berdella, put it best in that he said that pleading insanity is a cop out since you have to be insane to kill somebody if it wasn't a self defense situation. I can not disagree with him on that. .

Is the definition of insanity lack of empathy? Or caring about yourself more than others and about what you want more than others?

It's often imho a lack of morals and a lack of a belief in that you will go to he77 if you do such. In many cases. It's also narcissism in many a case. You count more than anyone else. I hate buzz words like that but feel it fits.

Of course in some cases maybe it's insanity. I mean the legal definition of course.

I don't think every killer is insane if it's not self defense. Some do it solely for money, freedom and know exactly what they are doing which is the key.

Our killer lost his temper. Hated he had a responsibility when he'd likely rather be out with friends. So it's not only self defense that escapes insanity as Berdella says. And it wasn't an accident. I'm not talking accidents.

And if everyone thinks every killer is insane if not self defense, we are in real trouble. Why even prosecute?

I entirely agree with the standard legal definition which is did they know right from wrong? Most do.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Lol no offense but I hope I never say "our local serial killer". There are none I know of in my area. Thank God. And if so, I'm not claiming any of them.

That is meant lightly, not to criticize. The wording just was striking for some reason.

 

[Guess Who]

Lol no offense but I hope I never say "our local serial killer". There are none I know of in my area. Thank God. And if so, I'm not claiming any of them.

That is meant lightly, not to criticize. The wording just was striking for some reason.

it is what it is. I've actually met him. He had a very cool little shop, but he was so creepy that we didn't like to go in because of him. Not shocked at all by his actually being a serial killer by any of us that had went in. It's a shame because if it weren't for him, we would have been in his crazy little shop a LOT. There's more to my 6 degrees of separation of him, too. Super creepy!

 

[GrandmaBear]

it is what it is. I've actually met him. He had a very cool little shop, but he was so creepy that we didn't like to go in because of him. Not shocked at all by his actually being a serial killer by any of us that had went in. It's a shame because if it weren't for him, we would have been in his crazy little shop a LOT. There's more to my 6 degrees of separation of him, too. Super creepy!

Maybe you've mentioned before, rings a slight bell?

What kind of shop?

On another day maybe I'll look him up. I don't have it in me today.

I'm ashamed Dahmer came from our state but he was in the southern part and I kind of don't even consider people there the same state lol. Whole different world. All the cities of any size are in the southern half. So I don't claim him lol. Absolutely no relation.

I'm half listening to a YT video on this case right now. Not real happy with their assumptions either, all about mental issues.

And there well could be. Not saying there isn't. They also say the couple were photographers as if professionals is what is implied. I think all that was said was it was a couple taking photos that found her.

I guess I just am not jumping to things in this one. I DO believe Ashlee guilty.

They are also saying how often it is when mother's kill that they don't want their children to face hardships in this terrible world like they have and they consider killing the child an altruistic act.

HTC. I've said before I go kind of both ways on that channel. He's a psychiatrist but I'm not impressed with him. For one thing. She also is friendly with the Taco Bell queen, another reason lol.

I'll probably shut it off. And talking about how upset she probably was over the father's death. I don't think that's ever been confirmed either.

The reasons for filicide and so on.

Just about everything he says he quotes from some book. He loves to cite books as if they are the gold standard. Diagnosing someone he knows nothing about.

I guess it is just irritating me. The conclusions that seem to be jumped to in this case.

Oh well.

That's a bit too close for a SK. In his shop. Wow. I'll go back to that.

Merry Christmas by the way to you and yours.

 

[ima.grandma]

 

[ima.grandma]

 

[Kimster]

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.

I guess I should’ve said monitored. Cause I agree with you. I was just thinking about children being alone and not checked when they are with someone that is mentally ill. Not a good idea at all.

 

[Kimster]

My local serial killer, Bob Berdella, put it best in that he said that pleading insanity is a cop out since you have to be insane to kill somebody if it wasn't a self defense situation. I can not disagree with him on that. .

True.
I think the problem that a lot of the West Coast states have is that they don’t think about the victims. Sure, someone with a mental health issue can be pitied, but you also have to lock people up to protect society as a whole. That part of the equation doesn’t seem to click out here anymore.

 

[Tresir]

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.

How many? As a percentage.

 

[Tresir]

My local serial killer, Bob Berdella, put it best in that he said that pleading insanity is a cop out since you have to be insane to kill somebody if it wasn't a self defense situation. I can not disagree with him on that. .

I don't think that is the case necessarily. The money could a big factor, if you inherit from the person you kill or you could want to live with your lover plus keep money and property. Paying spousal support must be a big motive too IMO.

 

[GrandmaBear]

True.
I think the problem that a lot of the West Coast states have is that they don’t think about the victims. Sure, someone with a mental health issue can be pitied, but you also have to lock people up to protect society as a whole. That part of the equation doesn’t seem to click out here anymore.

I'd agaree with that. A danger to society or risk to others is SUPPOSED to be a top consideration as I understand it.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'd agaree with that. A danger to society or risk to others is SUPPOSED to be a top consideration as I understand it.

You don't release or try to save one person from incarceration just to endanger 100s if not 1000s of people and so on.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think that is the case necessarily. The money could a big factor, if you inherit from the person you kill or you could want to live with your lover plus keep money and property. Paying spousal support must be a big motive too IMO.

Agree. Sounds like he is saying only self defense murder might not be by insane people. I don't agree with that at all. There are LOTS of motives for murder.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well of course she did. Don't they all?

I'm only happy that she's been arrested, totally bummed about Melodee but glad she was found, just wish it had been alive of course.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Lying in wait is a charge...?

Also discharging a firearm causing death.

And first degree murder.

No bond, next hearing January 7th. Just listening myself.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Gag order. No further information to be released.

That's become the norm these days too...

 

[Tresir]

Lying in wait is a charge...?

Also discharging a firearm causing death.

And first degree murder.

No bond, next hearing January 7th. Just listening myself.

Jan 7th is also the next date for Nick Reiner to appear in court. Ashlee looks so different without her wig and makeup.