Search efforts are underway for a missing 9-year-old girl, Melodee Buzzard, from California. Investigators believe her mother may have concealed Melodee’s appearance using a wig prior to her disappearance.
Details Surrounding Melodee Buzzard’s Disappearance
On October 7, security footage from a car rental agency captured Ashlee Buzzard, Melodee’s mother, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. Detectives noted that she seemed to be wearing a wig that looked darker and straighter than Melodee’s natural hair.
Authorities are focusing their investigation on the period from October 7 to October 10, the days before Melodee was reported missing. Sheriff Bill Brown stated that detectives are pursuing every lead and have urged the public to offer any information that could assist in locating Melodee.
Road Trip and Rental Car Incident
Ashlee Buzzard rented a white Chevrolet Malibu on October 7 for a three-day journey. The trip extended from Lompoc, California, to the Nebraska area and returned through Kansas. Upon returning home, Melodee was absent from the rental vehicle.
- Dates of Importance:
- October 7: Car rental and road trip begins.
- October 10: Road trip ends.
- October 14: Melodee reported missing.
Initial Discovery and Attempts to Locate Melodee
The search for Melodee commenced after school officials from the Lompoc Unified School District reported her unexplained absence. Melodee had enrolled in school in August, but her absence triggered law enforcement involvement.
Deputies managed to contact Ashlee Buzzard, yet she did not provide a clear explanation regarding her daughter’s location. Reports indicate that Ashlee has been uncooperative with investigators.
Family and Community Concerns
Corinna Meza, Melodee’s half-sister, shared with NBC affiliate KSBY that the family is deeply unsettled. She noted their father passed away when Melodee was very young, and the girl tends to remain unseen, even among relatives. “We’re all looking for answers,” Meza expressed.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office is currently collaborating with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to enhance the search for Melodee. Authorities remain dedicated to finding her and ensuring her safe return to her family.
