Melodee Buzzard vanished approximately a month ago following what seemed to be a road trip with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, in October.
Buzzard returned from the journey by herself after three days, but nine-year-old Melodee has not been seen since.
Authorities report that Buzzard has yet to offer a ‘verifiable explanation’ regarding Melodee’s whereabouts after they traveled over 1,000 miles from their California home to Nebraska.
The mystery deepens as surveillance footage from the trip shows both mother and daughter wearing what seem to be disguises.
Additionally, the license plate on Buzzard’s rental vehicle appeared to change during the trip before the car was returned with its original plates.
With Melodee’s location still unknown, police are reaching out to anyone along the route taken by the mother and daughter to assist with their investigation.
Here is what we know so far.
Melodee was last sighted on October 9 during the road trip with her mother.
She was subsequently reported missing by her school, which noted her absence from the remote learning program her mother had enrolled her in back in August.
A school administrator requested a welfare check after noticing Melodee’s prolonged absence.
When law enforcement arrived at the family residence, Melodee was nowhere to be found, and Buzzard failed to provide a verifiable explanation for her daughter’s disappearance. Authorities noted she “has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare.”
Reports suggest Melodee and Buzzard left on October 7, in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu rental car.
The two were captured on CCTV at the rental service, apparently in disguise.
Investigators believe they reached Nebraska before returning through Kansas.
During the journey, the car’s license plate was switched to a New York plate – HCG9677.
Melodee’s last appearance on video footage was on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border. The vehicle was returned the next day with its initial plates.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office commented on the footage: “The footage corresponds to previously released still images and shows both Ashlee and Melodee wearing wigs. Investigators also believe that Ashlee swapped wigs throughout the trip, changing to a darker wig that is similar in color and style to the one Melodee was seen wearing. This change in appearance is believed to have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel.”
They further stated, “The plate does not belong to the vehicle or Buzzard and is believed to have been used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection.”
Melodee’s paternal grandmother, Lilly Denes, expressed her shock to KSBY upon seeing the CCTV images, saying, “I was totally numb and in shock… This is just so shocking to me in that my granddaughter is dressed in a disguise. If she’s listening, we love you. We’re here for you, and we just want you to be happy. Call me. There are numbers on the TV that you can call, and I will come pick you up.”
A development on Friday, November 7, saw Buzzard arrested for false imprisonment, unrelated to Melodee’s case.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office stated, “This crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, however, detectives are unable to fully outline the crime as it would impede their ongoing investigation.”
Tyler Brewer, who visited Buzzard’s home on November 6, alleged that Buzzard produced a box cutter and refused to let him leave.
“Ms. Buzzard became visibly distressed after sharing information she appeared to regret disclosing,” Brewer mentioned in a statement. “A box cutter was produced, and despite multiple requests to be allowed to exit the home, I was not immediately permitted to leave.”
Buzzard pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a court appearance next week.
She has been ordered to wear a GPS tracker and refrain from contacting Brewer.