The latest developments in the search for missing California girl Melody Buzzard reveal she was with her mother earlier this month, as per the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Previously reported by CrimeOnline, officials noted that staff from the Lompoc Unified School District last encountered Melodee in August. At that time, her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, had enrolled her in an independent study program.
Despite being homeschooled, Melodee did not collect any study materials.
In collaboration with the FBI, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office recently found new evidence suggesting that Melodee was seen with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, on October 7.
Authorities believe the duo may have ventured to Nebraska, with Buzzard driving a rented white Chevrolet Malibu, bearing the license plate 9MNG101.
“Detectives have compiled evidence showing that Melodee was in the company of her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, as late as October 7, 2025,” stated the Sheriff’s Office on Monday morning.
“Detectives have also determined that Ashlee may have driven with Melodee in a White Chevrolet Malibu to locations outside of Santa Barbara County to include as far as the state of Nebraska.”
When officers arrived at the family home last week, in the 500 block of Mars Avenue, they spoke with Ashlee Buzzard but did not see Melodee.
They returned to the home for follow-ups, but could not find her, and her mother didn’t offer valid explanations. Police subsequently carried out a search warrant at the home.
Melodee’s father, Rubiell Meza, died in a motorcycle crash when she was an infant. Ashley Buzzard had been living in Santa Maria with Meza and his mother at the time, but moved away with Melodee after his death.
“She just kept [Melodee] away from us and then she up and moved,” Melodee’s aunt, Vicky Shade, told The Los Angeles Times. “She wouldn’t let us see her.”
Family members on the father’s side have reportedly expressed concerns about Ashlee Buzzard’s mental health, adding they have not seen Melodee in four years.
“Ashlee is mentally unstable and my mom tried to get custody or at least grandparent rights to visit Melodee because she [Ashlee] wasn’t letting our side of the family see her,” Shade said.
The Meza family distributed missing persons flyers over the weekend in Lompoc, Guadalupe and the Five Cities area of San Luis Obispo County, according to the Times.
“It’s been really hard not knowing anything about her whereabouts,” Shade added.
As the search continues, law enforcement is asking community members to refrain from doing their own investigations.
“While well-intentioned, these efforts could unintentionally interfere with investigative work already in progress,” the department said.
Anyone with information regarding Buzzard’s whereabouts is asked 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.
[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police
