New developments have surfaced in the ongoing search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, a California girl who has been missing for more than a month following an extensive multi-state trip with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard. Investigators continue to track movements, examine surveillance footage, and follow new leads as concerns for Melodee’s safety intensify.
Private investigator Bill Garcia, working alongside the investigative group Criminally Obsessed, shared new findings with ARC Salt Lake regarding the timeline leading up to Melodee’s disappearance. According to Garcia, Melodee’s last confirmed sighting occurred on October 9, along the Utah–Colorado border, during what appeared to be an extended road trip spanning five states.
Evidence gathered by investigators suggests that Ashlee allegedly changed license plates and used wigs—behaviors that could indicate attempts to avoid detection. Garcia told ARC Salt Lake that new information places Ashlee back in Ventura County, California, near her most recent residence. However, there have been no verified sightings of Melodee in the area, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.
Melodee’s father is buried at Santa Maria Cemetery, a location the pair reportedly passed during their route, adding another point of interest for investigators studying the travel pattern. Ashlee was later arrested on unrelated charges and ordered by the court to wear an ankle monitor. She has been formally charged in a separate false imprisonment case involving victim Tyler Brewer, who recently provided new details to ARC Salt Lake about that incident and the broader search for Melodee.
Investigators and defense attorneys have noted that Ashlee has refused to answer questions from police. Anne Emerson from the Criminally Obsessed podcast stated that attorneys may be limiting responses to protect legal rights, including concerns about potential evidence contamination and the necessity of maintaining Miranda protections.
Ashlee appeared in court Wednesday, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for the following day. Authorities continue urging the public to report any information that may help locate Melodee. Updates will be released as the investigation progresses.
For official missing person reporting guidance, refer to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and for legal information regarding criminal procedures, visit the Utah Courts.
