Recent developments in the case of Melodee Buzzard, a young girl from California who has been missing for several weeks, have brought new images to light. The girl’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, continues to be uncooperative with authorities as they work to find Melodee.
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, Ashlee Buzzard embarked on a road trip with her 9-year-old daughter on October 7, renting a vehicle and potentially heading towards Nebraska. However, by October 10, Ashlee returned to their home in Vandenberg Village, located in northern Santa Barbara County, without Melodee.
The car, a white Chevrolet Malibu bearing the license plate 9MNG101, was subsequently returned to the rental agency. Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has shared critical updates, including security footage from October 7 showing Melodee at a local car rental business. In the footage, she is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and what appears to be a wig, intentionally darker and straighter than her natural hair.
Authorities suspect that the wig was used to disguise Melodee’s appearance. This suspicion is supported by information that Ashlee Buzzard is known to frequently wear wigs herself. The investigation continues as officials strive to uncover more details to aid in Melodee’s safe return.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, security footage captured Melodee at a “local car rental business” on October 7. She was seen in a hooded sweatshirt and likely a wig, “that is darker and straighter than her natural hair.”
Investigators believe that the wig was used to alter Melodee’s appearance. They also noted that Ashlee Buzzard is known to wear wigs.
Investigators said that Ashlee Buzzard likely drove to Kansas before returning home. Melodee’s maternal grandmother, Lori Miranda, previously told KSBY News that they have family in Kansas.
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Law enforcement is now trying to determine exactly where Ashlee Buzzard took Melodee.
“Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We continue to seek information from the public that could help us find Melodee,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “We remain determined to bring her home safely.”
Melodee’s disappearance came to light on October 14, when Lompoc Unified School District employees reported her missing after she failed to pick assignments for an independent study program.
Melodee was reportedly being homeschooled when her mother signed her up for the program.
When officers arrived at Ashlee Buzzard’s home last week, in the 500 block of Mars Avenue in Vandenberg Village, they spoke with her but did not see Melodee.
They returned to the home for follow-ups, but could not find Melodee, and her mother didn’t offer valid explanations.
Meanwhile, DailyMail reports that Ashlee Buzzard was spotted leaving with someone in a black Lincoln Sedan Wednesday morning, headed first to a Budget car rental branch. They later drove to the Avis car rental store at an airport.
She was reportedly denied a rental at both locations and returned home.
A neighbor, according to DailyMail, claimed Buzzard was handed a notice Monday to produce her daughter or face arrest.
Melodee is described as standing 4 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
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]
