Age: 9 | Status: At-Risk Missing Child

Location: Vandenberg Village / Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California

Investigating Agencies: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) | Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Case Classification: Active Missing Child Investigation

BACKGROUND

• Date of Birth: February 10 2016
• Height/Weight: 4′0″–4′6″ | 60–100 lbs
• Hair/Eyes: Brown / Brown
• Last Residence: Mars Avenue, Vandenberg Village (CA)
• Father: Rubiell Meza, deceased, automobile accident, 2016
• Mother: Ashlee Buzzard (35), currently uncooperative with investigators
• Relatives report that Ashlee restricted Melodee’s family contact for years and isolated her from paternal relatives.
• Melodee was listed as homeschooled / independent study under Lompoc Unified School District, but the California Department of Education found no private-school affidavit on file.

2023

• The most recent verified photograph and school record of Melodee dated as 2023.
• Lompoc Unified School District confirms Melodee’s enrollment and sighting.

August 2025

• Verified sighting of Melodee by school personnel.
• No further attendance or activity recorded after this month.

October 7, 2025

• Ashlee Buzzard rents a white Chevrolet Malibu (California plate 9MNG101) from a Santa Barbara-area rental agency.
• Surveillance footage shows Ashlee and Melodee together at the rental counter.
• Melodee appears in a hooded sweatshirt and dark straight wig, believed to be a disguise.
• Ashlee and Melodee depart on a three-day interstate road trip that passes through Kansas and reaches Nebraska.

October 9, 2025

• Melody is last seen alive on video surveillance with Ashley.
• Location is on the Colorado side of the Colorado–Utah border.
• Investigators now believe Melody was murdered shortly after this stop.

October 10, 2025

• Ashlee returns the rented Malibu to Santa Barbara County alone. Melodee is not present.
• The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office narrows the disappearance window to these three days. Through their ongoing investigation, detectives have narrowed the critical timeline to between October 7 and October 10, 2025.

October 14, 2025 (Investigation Begins)

• A school administrator from Lompoc Unified requests a welfare check for Melodee after noting her prolonged absence.
• Deputies respond to the Buzzard residence on Mars Avenue.
• Ashlee Buzzard is unable to provide a reasonable explanation for her daughter’s whereabouts.
• A formal missing-person investigation is opened.

October 15, 2025

• Detectives serve a search warrant at the Buzzard residence.
• Melodee is not found.
• Ashlee Buzzard remains uncooperative with detectives.

October 17, 2025 (Official Statement, Lompoc Unified School District)

• LUSD issues a public statement clarifying facts and combating misinformation.
• Confirms Melodee was enrolled in August 2025, not missing since 2024.
• Explains staff initiated the October 14 welfare check after following required procedures.
• Affirms cooperation with SBSO and notes Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with investigators.
• Quote: “Our primary focus is close collaboration with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office in their continued efforts related to this case.”

October 18, 2025

• The FBI joins the investigation and adds Melodee to its national Kidnap / Missing Child Poster.
• Authorities warn that her appearance may have been altered to conceal her identity.

October 20, 2025

• SBSO issues a public update confirming Melodee was with her mother on October 7 and that Ashlee drove to Nebraska before returning without her.
• The critical timeline of October 7 – 10 is re-emphasized as the primary focus of the investigation.

October 22, 2025

• Melodee remains classified as an At-Risk Missing Child.
• Ashlee Buzzard continues to refuse cooperation with law enforcement.
• The wig surveillance footage of Ashley and Melody is released publicly.

October 24, 2025

• Images show Melodee wearing a wig and confirm Ashlee rented and drove the Chevrolet Malibu (9MNG101).
• Detectives release detailed multi-state travel route.
• Outbound route: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska.
• Return route: Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California.
• Detectives determine Ashley switched rental car license plates to New York plates.
• Detectives determine Ashley backed into gas pumps to avoid surveillance cameras.
• Investigators publicly confirm October 9, 2025 as the last confirmed sighting of Melody.

October 25, 2025

• Melodee Buzzard remains missing and considered at risk.
• Ashlee Buzzard remains uncooperative with law enforcement.
• The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and FBI continue the joint investigation and appeal for public information.

October 30, 2025, Additional Search Warrants Served

• Authorities execute new search warrants at the Buzzard residence on the 500 block of Mars Avenue in Vandenberg Village.
• Ashlee Buzzard is removed from the home to allow investigators unrestricted access to the property.
• Follow-up search warrants executed: Mars Avenue residence, Ashley’s storage locker, rental vehicle.
• A section of Mars Avenue is taped off as federal and local investigators collect potential evidence.
• Evidence recovered: spent cartridge casing at residence, live round of similar ammunition in the rental vehicle, and cartridge casing submitted to ATF’s NIBIN ballistic database.
• Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Gotschall of the Criminal Investigation Division states: “We appreciate the FBI’s assistance in today’s searches. In cases like this, every detail matters. Collaboration with our federal partners ensures we’re using every available resource to bring resolution to this case.”
• Officials confirm no arrests have been made and the case remains an active missing-person investigation. Focus continues on the critical October 7–10 travel window from Lompoc to Nebraska and back through Kansas.

November 3, 2025, Expanded Multi-State Investigation and Vehicle Plate Discovery

• The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office releases new investigative details, a route map, and photographs of Ashlee Buzzard as part of the continuing search for missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard. Source
• Detectives confirm that the case began on October 14 2025 after a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence.
• Deputies located Ashlee Buzzard at her residence in Lompoc, California, but Melodee was not present.
• A full search of the residence confirmed Melodee’s absence, and Ashlee provided no verifiable explanation for her daughter’s whereabouts.
• Investigators verify that on October 7 2025, Ashlee departed California with Melodee in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu (California plate 9MNG101).
• The pair are believed to have traveled as far as Nebraska, returning through Kansas.
• Beginning October 8, the Malibu was seen bearing a New York license plate HCG9677, which does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee.
• Detectives believe the false or switched plate was used to avoid detection.
• When the car was returned to the Lompoc rental agency, the original California plate was re-attached.

November 5, 2025

• The FBI released an update stating that the search continues for missing and at-risk 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was last seen on October 9, 2025, via video surveillance in the region between the Colorado–Utah border. Melodee, originally from Lompoc, California, was traveling with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, at the time of her disappearance. Source
• Investigators have released a photograph of Melodee and Ashlee together during their travels, along with a route map showing the locations believed to be part of their journey.
• Detectives have now confirmed that Melodee was last seen along the return route via video surveillance on October 9, 2025, in the region between the Colorado–Utah border. Based on vehicle movement, investigators believe the Malibu traveled through the following areas: Green River, Utah; Panguitch, Utah; Northwest Arizona; Primm, Nevada; and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Law enforcement authorities are seeking any information about Melodee’s whereabouts or condition.
• The FBI urges anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts or condition to contact law enforcement. Official information and updates are available at: fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/melodee-buzzard

November 7, 2025

• Detectives arrested 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard on a felony charge of false imprisonment for unlawfully violating Tyler S. Brewer’s personal liberty. The charge is unrelated to the disappearance of her daughter, Melodee Buzzard. Source
• Brewer said in a statement that he came to visit Buzzard at her Vandenberg Village home to offer assistance in the search for the missing girl, and that the situation quickly escalated. “Ms. Buzzard became visibly distressed after sharing information she appeared to regret disclosing,” Source
• “A box cutter was produced, and despite multiple requests to be allowed to exit the home, I was not immediately permitted to leave.”
• Buzzard used several locks to secure the door and that this temporarily prevented him from leaving.
• Brewer, who works as a paralegal in the Central Coast area, said that he is a mandated reporter and contacted the authorities. “In that capacity, I immediately reported all concerning communication and inconsistencies directly to law enforcement,”.
• According to Brewer he has known Buzzard since 2014 and has been coming to check on her since news of her daughter’s disappearance became public, noting that she has been acting extremely paranoid and he is worried for her well-being.
• Ashlee was booked at the Northern Branch Jail with bail set at $100,000.
• The Sheriff’s Office stated that her booking photo will not be released and that the search for Melodee continues.

November 12, 2025

• Ashlee Buzzard pleaded “not guilty” to the felony false imprisonment charge.
• Authorities say Ashlee Buzzard held a man captive in her home. The victim said Buzzard sealed the door with several locks and wielded a box cutter after disclosing sensitive information she then appeared to regret.
• The judge is allowing supervised release. She is due back in court on November 19, 2025.

November 20, 2025, Charge Dismissed

• Judge Stephen Dunkle dismissed the false imprisonment charge against Ashlee Buzzard in a Lompoc courtroom following extensive testimony.
• The court also ordered the termination of electronic monitoring, including the GPS device she was required to wear after her November 7 arrest.
• Testimony centered on allegations from Tyler S. Brewer, a legal document assistant who visited Ashlee between November 1 and 6, 2025.
• Brewer claimed Ashlee threatened him and prevented him from leaving on November 6 while holding a box cutter.
• Brewer described the approximately five visits he made to Buzzard’s home between November 1, 2025 and November 6, 2025 after reaching out to her, offering assistance should she need it.
• He told the court he first met Buzzard back in 2014 while friends with Buzzard’s then-roommate. He said he felt threatened by Buzzard the evening of Nov. 6 while at her home for more than an hour. He claimed Buzzard’s demeanor changed during their conversation, and that she had a box cutter and he wasn’t allowed to leave.
• A Sheriff’s detective testified that two phones seized from Ashlee contained an audio recording of the encounter.
• A search warrant was obtained and the audio recording of the conversation between Brewer and Buzzard was discovered when content on one phone was downloaded.
• The judge found the recording did not support evidence of fear or false imprisonment under California law.
• The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office stated that additional investigative evidence contradicted initial statements and did not meet the legal threshold for prosecution.
• Authorities stressed that the dismissed criminal case remains separate from the missing-person investigation, which continues with FBI assistance.

November 24, 2025, Tyler Brewer Interview with NewsNation Source

• Ashley went on a road trip, instructed by individuals she barely knows, to drop her daughter, Melody, off with them, supposedly at a location in Utah. Ashley claimed she met the couple at a zoo, and they had a daughter Melody’s age. The startling details are that Ashley does not know the couple’s names, address, phone number, or location, which the speaker finds mindboggling.
• Ashley reportedly said she knew the woman’s name and verified it on White Pages, but the speaker points out the unreliability of this. Ashley was initially communicating with the couple, but the drop-off plan kept changing, leading Ashley to different places like Nebraska before the final drop-off in Utah. Ashley said the couple was paranoid about the government and being tracked, which is why they kept changing locations.
• Ashley’s initial phone number for the couple is now disconnected, or it was a temporary number. The plan was for Melody to start calling Ashley when she got home, but as of November 6th, it had been 45 to 50 days with no call.
• The reason Ashley gave for dropping off her 9-year-old daughter was that she had an upcoming, non-serious outpatient surgery. However, in Ashley’s mind, she needed Melody to be away for at least a month or two so Ashley could recover from the surgeries and medical care and get back on her feet to care for Melody.

December 6, 2025

• A couple photographing near the 3300 block of East State Route 24 in Wayne County, Utah discovers a decomposing body.
• Location described as remote, along West Caneville Road.
• 5:13 PM Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responds.
• Body is female and shows gunshot wounds to the head.

December 8, 2025

• Wayne County Sheriff notifies Santa Barbara County Sheriff of the found remains.
• Identification not immediately possible.

December 17, 2025

• ATF reports a confirmed NIBIN ballistic match.
• Cartridge cases from Utah homicide scene match the casing recovered from Ashley Buzzard’s residence.

December 22, 2025

• FBI Laboratory reports DNA results.
• Remains are confirmed as a familial match to Ashley Buzzard, identifying the victim as Melody Buzzard.

December 23, 2025

• 7:50 AM Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and FBI execute search and arrest warrants at Mars Avenue residence. Source
• Ashley Lynn Buzzard is arrested without incident.
• Superior Court filing entered ordering that defendant Ashlee Lynn Buzzard (CID 0619167), housed at Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail, is permitted to appear in civilian clothing for court dates beginning December 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM, Department 9, Judge John McGregor presiding. Source
• She is booked for First Degree Murder.
• She is held without bail.
• 5:00 PM Sheriff publicly confirms evidence indicates premeditation.
• Sheriff confirms investigation is ongoing.
• Murder weapon has not yet been recovered.
• No additional suspects are believed to be involved at this time.
• Case will be prosecuted in Santa Barbara County, based on alleged formation of criminal intent within the county.
• Motive has not yet been established.
• Ashley remains uncooperative with investigators.
• 6:00 PM Wayne County Sheriff’s Office released an update. Source

December 24, 2025

• Felony Complaint Filed Source
• Santa Barbara Superior Court.
• Court No. 25CR10495.
• Charge: Murder in violation of Penal Code 187(a).
• Victim: Melodee Buzzard.
• Alleged offense date: October 9, 2025.
• Jurisdiction: Santa Barbara County.
• Firearm Allegation: Penal Code 12022.53(d).
• Personal and intentional discharge of a 9mm firearm causing death.
• Aggravating Factors Filed: great violence and cruelty, weapon use, victim vulnerability, planning and sophistication, abuse of position of trust, ongoing danger to society, classified legally as serious and violent felony.

December 26, 2025

• 8:30 AM Ashley Buzzard set to be arraigned in a Santa Maria courtroom on Friday morning. Source
• Ashlee Buzzard has pleaded not guilty to the October murder of her daughter, Melodee Buzzard, in Utah.
• Judge McGregor granted the defense’s request for a temporary gag order, preventing Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown and his staff from discussing the case or releasing non-public evidence and documents.

Age: 9 | Status: At-Risk Missing Child

Location: Vandenberg Village / Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California

Investigating Agencies: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) | Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Case Classification: Active Missing Child Investigation

INVESTIGATIVE DETAILS

• Investigators believe Melodee may have been taken across state lines and her appearance intentionally altered.
• Ashlee Buzzard has not been publicly charged but is the last person known to have been with Melodee.
• The FBI and SBSO are analyzing rental agreements, surveillance footage, digital records, and interstate travel data.
• Authorities urge the public not to conduct independent searches and instead submit credible leads directly.

New Surveillance Confirmation:

• Melodee was last seen on video October 9 2025 along the return route between the Colorado–Utah border.
• Investigators are collaborating with law-enforcement agencies in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California to locate additional footage or witnesses from that date.

Confirmed Areas of Travel on or Around October 9 2025:

• Green River, Utah
• Panguitch, Utah
• Northwest Arizona
• Primm, Nevada
• Rancho Cucamonga, California

The Sheriff’s Office publishes a route map depicting the vehicle’s likely travel path and urges residents and businesses in these regions to check surveillance footage and report any possible sightings.

Investigators are specifically seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee Buzzard between October 9 and October 10 2025, or anyone with video of their route.

Updated Images Released:

• New photos show Ashlee and Melodee at a Lompoc rental-car agency on October 7.
• Both appear to be wearing wigs, with Melodee’s darker and straighter than her natural hair.

Melodee Buzzard Description:

• 9 years old, female
• Approximately 4′6″ tall, 60 pounds
• Brown curly hair, brown eyes

CONTACT INFORMATION

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line: (805) 681-4150

Anonymous Tips: (805) 681-4171

FBI Los Angeles Field Office: (310) 477-6565

OFFICIAL SOURCES (Verified)

• FBI Kidnap / Missing Poster, Melodee Buzzard
• Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Press Releases
• Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Press Release November 4, 2025
• Lompoc Unified School District, Official Statement (October 17, 2025)