Where is Melodee? New details shared on route of missing Central Coast girl
Video surveillance showed that missing Lompoc girl Melodee Buzzard was last seen near the Colorado-Utah border on Oct. 9, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Melodee has been missing since Oct. 7, when her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, rented a car and began a road trip to Nebraska, the Sheriff’s Office said. That road trip was believed to have gone from Lompoc to Nebraska, stopping in Kansas on the way back.
But when Ashlee returned to the Central Coast, Melodee wasn’t with her.
New surveillance photos from the car rental agency on Oct. 7 show both Ashlee and Melodee appearing to be wearing wigs.
The white Chevrolet Malibu Ashlee Buzzard rented originally bore California license plate HCG9877, the agency said. The next day, however, it was spotted using a New York license plate that did not belong to Ashlee or the vehicle.
When Buzzard returned the car in Lompoc after her trip, the California plate had been returned to the vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators believe the New York plate was used “as a false or switched plate to avoid detection,” the agency said.
Detectives confirmed Melodee was seen around the Colorado and Utah boarder on Oct. 9 along the “return route” from Nebraska, the release said.
“Investigators are working to fill gaps in the timeline for that date and are working with law enforcement agencies in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Southern California for assistance in reaching the members of their communities,” the release said.
Investigators believe the Chevrolet Malibu traveled through Green River and Panguitch, Utah; northwest Arizona; Primm, Nevada; and Rancho Cucamonga.
Melodee is a 9-year-old girl who stands about 4 feet and 6 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds with curly brown hair and brown eyes. A school administrator reported her missing after a prolonged absence from school. Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with the investigation and has had her house search at least twice, once with the FBI.
No charges have been filed in the case.
Detectives ask anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from Oct. 9 through Oct. 10 or have video footage from their route of travel to call 805-681-4150. To remain anonymous, callers can contact 805-681-4171 or submit a tip at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 5:41 PM.
