Authorities have confirmed the discovery of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard’s body, marking a tragic end to the search for the missing child.

According to multiple law enforcement sources speaking to ABC News, Melodee’s remains were located in Utah in early December. The area where she was found is reportedly linked to previous travels by her mother, Ashlee Buzzard.

Investigators are currently awaiting DNA analysis to officially identify the body, though initial assessments suggest Melodee may have been deceased for several months.

On Tuesday morning, Ashlee Buzzard was apprehended by officials at her residence in Vandenberg Village.

As reported by KSBY, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at Buzzard’s home on Mars Avenue shortly before 8 a.m., where they forcibly entered after receiving no response to their knocks. Subsequently, Buzzard was arrested and taken away in handcuffs, according to neighbors who witnessed the event.

Neighbors told the outlet that authorities pried Buzzard’s door open after banging on it with a metal object. After detaining Buzzard, they led her away in handcuffs.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s County Office is expected to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. PST.

Previous Video Coverage

As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Buzzard rented a car in Lompoc, and embarked on a cross-country trip on October 7, with possible stops in Kansas and Nebraska.

Security footage placed both Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee at the car rental business while wearing wigs that same day.

According to the sheriff’s office, Melodee was last seen on October 9, between the Colorado–Utah border, on a return route.

“Somewhere along that route is where we know Ashlee was no longer with Melodee,” Raquel Zick, Public Information Officer with SBCSO, said.

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[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]