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Disturbing details continue to emerge regarding the death of a nine-year-old girl whose body was discovered in the desert – over 750 miles away from her home.
She had embarked on a road trip with her mother, Ashlee, 40.
Melodee Buzzard was captured on surveillance video with her mother Ashlee at a car rental location – just days before she was allegedly murdered by her parent.Credit: AP
According to authorities, Buzzard had a gunshot wound to her head.Credit: Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
Surveillance footage showed the duo at a car rental store in Lompoc, California, on October 7 before they began their journey across the United States.
Ashlee returned home without Melodee, prompting a mysterious search just a week later.
Tragically, Melodee’s body was discovered by a couple taking photographs in the Utah desert.
Authorities reported that Melodee had gunshot wounds to the head, and Ashlee has been accused of committing the murder.
A search of Ashlee’s residence uncovered ammunition and cartridge cases.
The search for the weapon remains ongoing.
Authorities have labeled the case as “extraordinarily tragic.”
“This is an extraordinarily tragic case involving the murder of a child by the very person she relied upon and trusted the most,” stated Bill Brown, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff.
“While maternal filicide is rare and difficult to comprehend, the evidence in this case clearly indicates a calculated, deliberate, and ruthless act.”
“This level of criminal activity is particularly shocking given the calculated, cold-blooded, and criminally sophisticated premeditation and heartlessness that went into planning.”
Melodee was last seen on October 9 near the Utah-Colorado border, and authorities believe she was killed shortly after that stop.
The vehicle traveled through areas including Rancho Cucamonga, California, Primm, Nevada, Northwest Arizona, and Panguitch and Green River, Utah.
Melodee’s remains were discovered near Caineville, adjacent to Capitol Reef National Park, approximately 750 miles from Lompoc.
Timeline of Melodee's Disappearance
- 2023: The last photo of Melodee is taken.
- August 2025: Lompoc Unified School District verifies a sighting.
- October 7, 2025: Confirmed sighting of Melodee and Ashlee; they reportedly began their road trip to Nebraska.
- October 10, 2025: Ashlee returns to Lompoc without Melodee.
- October 14, 2025: A welfare check requested by the Lompoc Unified School District; police contact Ashlee, who cannot provide a reasonable explanation for Melodee’s absence.
- October 15, 2025: Detectives execute a search warrant at Ashlee’s home.
- October 18, 2025: The FBI joins the investigation.
- October 24, 2025: [Details missing]
- November 2025: Ashlee is arrested on charges unrelated to the case but is granted release under GPS supervision.
- December 23, 2025: Reports emerge of Melodee’s remains being found, and Ashlee is photographed during her arrest.
Ashlee returned to Lompoc the following day.
Authorities began investigating the case on October 14 after a school employee noted Melodee's prolonged absence.
She had been enrolled in a school since August but had not attended.
Ashlee was questioned by police but could not provide any explanation regarding her daughter’s absence.
As more details about their road trip surfaced, it was revealed that Ashlee rented a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, and she and her daughter wore wigs at the rental shop to conceal their identities.
The planned road trip extended from California to Nebraska.
However, the return journey would involve traveling through Kansas.
The route authorities believe Ashlee and Melodee took.Credit: Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
