(Lilly Denes, the grandmother of missing California girl Melodee Buzzard, sits in her home in Orcutt, Calif)
VANDENBERG VILLAGE, Calif. — The remains of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who vanished during a road trip with her mother in October, were found earlier this month in rural Wayne County, Utah. Officials confirmed Tuesday that her mother, 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with her daughter’s death.
Melodee was last seen on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border during what officers described as an unusual trip with her mother. Surveillance footage captured the pair at a rental car office shortly before they left their California home. The ongoing search spanned multiple states and involved the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and other agencies.
Her decomposed body was discovered on December 6 by civilians photographing near State Route 24 in Wayne County. Authorities later confirmed through DNA analysis that the remains belonged to Melodee. Investigators determined she died from gunshot wounds to the head. Officers have not yet recovered a murder weapon.
Investigators said evidence collected at the Utah location was linked to cartridge cases found at the Buzzard residence and in a rental vehicle used by Ashlee, supporting probable cause for the murder charge. At a press conference, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown described the crime as “calculated” and “cold-blooded.”
(Image of young Melodee Buzzard)
Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody without incident at her home in Lompoc, California. Buzzard is being held without bail at the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail. A motive for the murder has not been publicly disclosed.
