Daijiworld Media Network - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, Dec 24: A tragic multi-state search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard ended on Tuesday when authorities discovered her remains in a remote area of southern Utah. Her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was arrested by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI on charges of first-degree murder, Sheriff-Coroner Bill Brown confirmed.

Investigators revealed that Ashlee Buzzard had allegedly taken deliberate measures to avoid detection during a cross-country trip with her daughter, including backing a rental car at gas stations to evade surveillance cameras.

The body was discovered by a couple taking photos in Wayne County, Utah. Initial identification was challenging, but DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Melodee. The young girl had died from gunshot wounds to the head.

Sheriff Brown stated, “We have recovered a significant amount of evidence that clearly indicates that this heinous crime was committed by Ashlee Buzzard, Melodee’s mother, and the very person upon whom she relied and trusted the most.”

Timeline of Events

• October 7, 2025: Ashlee Buzzard begins a road trip with Melodee. Surveillance at a car rental agency shows the girl in disguise, wearing a hoodie and a dark wig.

• October 9: Melodee is last seen on video surveillance on the Colorado-Utah border. Investigators believe she was killed shortly after this point.

• October 10: Ashlee returns to Lompoc in the rental vehicle without Melodee. License plates were switched during the trip to avoid detection.

• October 14: Melodee is reported missing by a school administrator, not by family.

• October 15 & 30: Law enforcement executes search warrants at Ashlee Buzzard’s home, a storage locker, and the rented vehicle, recovering an expended cartridge case and a live round.

• December 17: ATF links the Utah crime scene cartridge cases to those found at the Buzzard residence.

Sheriff Brown described the act as “cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated,” noting the premeditation and “ruthlessness” involved. Authorities are still investigating the motive, and the murder weapon has not yet been recovered.

Melodee’s paternal grandmother, Lilly Denes, expressed her grief, saying, “It’s really sad for us, especially that tomorrow is Christmas Eve.”

The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading to Melodee’s death and seek further evidence in the case.