Search Intensifies for Missing Melodee Buzzard: Disguises, Plate Swaps, 1,000-Mile Drive
Authorities are intensifying their search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who disappeared in early October. Her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, is at the center of this investigation. She took Melodee on a mysterious 1,000-mile trip shortly before returning without her.
Timeline of Events
The search for Melodee began on October 14. School officials in Lompoc, California, reported her absence after noticing she had not participated in her remote study program since the previous month. Investigators learned that Melodee was enrolled in an independent study program back in August.
- October 7: Buzzard leaves California with Melodee in a rented 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, reportedly wearing disguises.
- October 8: The vehicle’s California license plate is switched to a New York plate, raising suspicions.
- October 9: Melodee is last seen near the Colorado-Utah state line.
- October 10: The rental car is returned to Lompoc with its original California plates, without Melodee.
Discovery of Disguises and License Plate Swaps
During their investigation, authorities discovered that Buzzard and Melodee used wigs to disguise their appearances. Surveillance footage from the rental car agency captured them on October 7, indicating that they may have intended to evade detection during their travels across multiple states.
Detectives confirmed that Buzzard drove through several states on her journey, including:
- California
- Utah
- Nevada
- Kansas
- Nebraska
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
On October 14, when officers initially visited Buzzard’s home for a welfare check on Melodee, they found Ashlee alone. She allegedly offered no credible explanation regarding her daughter’s whereabouts.
Recently, Buzzard was arrested on a felony charge of false imprisonment for an unrelated incident. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office stated that this arrest does not directly involve Melodee’s case. The bail has been set at $100,000, but no attorney has been identified to represent her.
Community and Family Response
Melodee’s disappearance has prompted an outpouring of concern from family members and the community. Her grandmother, Lilly Denes, expressed shock upon seeing the surveillance footage, urging Melodee to reach out if she is listening.
As the investigation continues, Sheriff’s detectives are asking anyone who might have information about Melodee’s whereabouts to come forward. They are specifically looking for surveillance footage from businesses, gas stations, and other locations along the route taken by Buzzard and Melodee.
The search for Melodee Buzzard remains a high priority for law enforcement as they seek to uncover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office or leave an anonymous tip.
