Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Requests Local Assistance in Searching for Missing At-Risk Nine-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard

SANTA BARBARA, CA—The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to locate an at-risk missing child from California who may have traveled through multiple states. Detectives are seeking any possible sightings, tips, or video related to nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard, her mother Ashlee Buzzard, and the vehicle they were traveling in as the investigation expands across multiple states. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office began investigating on October 14, 2025, when a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence. Deputies attempted to locate Melodee and her mother, Ashlee at their residence in Lompoc, California, but were only able to speak with Ashlee who provided no verifiable explanation for Melodee’s whereabouts. A search of the residence confirmed that Melodee was not there. Ashlee has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare. Through their investigation, detectives have confirmed that Ashlee left California with Melodee in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially bearing California license plate 9MNG101, on October 7, 2025. Detectives believe that Ashlee and Melodee travelled as far as Nebraska, with a return trip that included Kansas. Beginning October 8, 2025, the Malibu was observed with a New York license plate HCG9677. It is unknown when the plate was installed or whether additional plates were used at other times during travel. The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee. Investigators believe it was used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection. When the vehicle was returned to the rental agency in Lompoc California, the assigned California plate was on the vehicle. 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. 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. Based on vehicle movement, investigators believe the Malibu traveled through the following areas on or around October 9, 2025: Green River, Utah Panguitch, Utah Northwest Arizona Primm, Nevada Rancho Cucamonga, California The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is sharing a map of the vehicle’s stops and urges anyone in those communities to check surveillance and report relevant information. Detectives are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from October 9-10, 2025, or any video footage from their route of travel. Investigators are sharing additional surveillance images of Ashlee and Melodee that were captured at a rental car location in Lompoc California at the start of the road trip on October 7, 2025. Both Ashlee and Melodee appear to be wearing wigs with Melodee’s appearing darker and straighter than her natural hair. Melodee Buzzard is described as a nine-year-old female, approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes. Detectives are asking anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office through one of the following methods: Detectives Line: (805) 681-4150 Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171 Online Tips: www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/ Video or image upload files: http://www.fbi.gov/missingmelodeebuzzard This remains an active, multi-state investigation. The primary goal of law enforcement is to verify the location and safety of Melodee Buzzard. Updates on this case can be found at SBSheriff.org.