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Charges of false imprisonment against the mother of missing California girl, Melodee Buzzard, were dismissed on Thursday after a court session in Santa Barbara County.
During the proceedings, audio evidence was presented suggesting that Ashlee Buzzard did not hinder Tyler Brewer from exiting her Lompoc residence on November 6.
Tyler Brewer, who described himself as a “legal document assistant,” attempted to support Ashlee after her daughter’s disappearance, according to the Lompoc Record. He recounted that tensions rose when he inquired about Melodee, missing since October 9.
Brewer alleged that Ashlee accused him of siding with Melodee’s paternal relatives and pointed out the presence of a box cutter on a TV stand, which made him feel constrained from leaving.
However, during the extensive hearing, Brewer conceded that he had provided conflicting statements to law enforcement, admitting Buzzard neither brandished the box cutter nor exhibited threatening behavior.
Judge Stephen Dunkle of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court ultimately dismissed the charges, and Buzzard is no longer required to wear a GPS tracking device.
“I find that there’s not probable cause to hold her to answer,” Dunkle said shortly before noon. “There’s insufficient evidence that this was any confinement or restraint effectuated by violence or menace.”
Meanwhile, the search for Melodee continues.
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.
The rental car, described as a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially had California license plate 9MNG101. On October 8, Buzzard allegedly changed it to 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,” the sheriff’s office said.
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.
Police believe Ashlee Buzzard drove through the following locations before returning home to Lompoc without Melodee.
- Green River, Utah
- Panguitch, Utah
- Northwest Arizona
- Primm, Nevada
- Rancho Cucamonga, California
Authorities are now asking businesses and residents and in the aforementioned areas to look at surveillance footage from October 9 and 10.
Before returning the car on October 10, Ashlee Buzzard put the California plate back on the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with information regarding Melodee’s whereabouts is urged to call Santa Barbara County investigators at 805-681-4150. Anonymous calls can be made to the tip line at 805-681-4171. Contact the FBI at 800-225-5324.
Anonymous tipsters can also share information online to the sheriff’s office.
Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard
[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]
