Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives issued additional information Monday in their ongoing search for missing at-risk 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard that includes a new route map and surveillance photo that includes Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard.
The Sheriff’s Office began investigating on October 14, 2025, when a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence. Deputies attempted to locate Melodee and her mother, Ashlee at their residence in the 500 block of Mars Avenue in Lompoc, but were only able to speak with Ashlee who provided no verifiable explanation for Melodee’s whereabouts.
A search of the residence confirmed that Melodee was not there. Ashlee has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare.
Through their investigation, detectives have confirmed that Ashlee left California with Melodee in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially bearing California license plate 9MNG101, on October 7, 2025. Detectives believe that Ashlee and Melodee travelled as far as Nebraska, with a return trip that included Kansas.
Beginning October 8, 2025, the Malibu was observed with a New York license plate HCG9677. It is unknown when the plate was installed or whether additional plates were used at other times during travel.
The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee. Investigators believe it was used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection. When the vehicle was returned to the rental agency in Lompoc California, the assigned California plate was on the vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office states.
Detectives have now confirmed that Melodee was last seen along the return route via video surveillance on October 9, 2025, in the region between the Colorado–Utah border. Investigators are working to fill gaps in the timeline for that date and are working with law enforcement agencies in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California for assistance in reaching the members of their communities.
Investigators believe the Malibu traveled through the following areas on or around October 9, 2025:
- Green River, Utah
- Panguitch, Utah
- Northwest Arizona
- Primm, Nevada
- Rancho Cucamonga, California
The Sheriff’s Office released a map of the vehicle’s stops and urges anyone in those communities to check surveillance and report relevant information.
Detectives are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from October 9-10, 2025, or any video footage from their route of travel.
Investigators have also released additional surveillance images of Ashlee and Melodee that were captured at a rental car location in Lompoc at the start of the road trip on October 7, 2025.
Both Ashlee and Melodee appear to be wearing wigs with Melodee’s appearing darker and straighter than her natural hair. Melodee Buzzard is described as a 9-year-old female, approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes.
On October 31st, the Sheriff’s Office stated that detectives along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) served follow-up search warrants at the home of Ashlee Buzzard, as well as a storage locker and the rental car that Melodee was last seen in.
Detectives escorted Ashlee to an alternate location that would not interfere with their ability to conduct a thorough search, in anticipation of the need for access to the residence during the search for an extended time.
This remains a missing person investigation, there have been no arrests made in this case, the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Detectives are asking anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office through one of the following methods:
- Detectives Line: (805) 681-4150
- Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171
- Online Tips: www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/
Detectives will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available that does not compromise the integrity of the investigation.
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It’s so terrible to think of that poor young girl, left behind in whatever situation by the person she counted on to protect her. I am devastated.