As Santa Barbara County authorities continued to look for a missing 9-year-old girl, investigators now believe the girl was with her mother at around the time she went missing.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department said Monday that evidence shows Melodee Buzzard was with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, as recently as Oct. 7, 2025.
Detectives also believe Buzzard and her daughter left Santa Barbara County in a white Chevrolet Malibu rental, driving out as far as the state of Nebraska.
Buzzard no longer has the vehicle, the sheriff’s department said.
The search for Melodee began on Oct. 14 as investigators believe the girl has been missing for a year. They first began looking into the case after a school administrator reported that Melodee had been absent for a long time.
Authorities tried to speak with Ashlee Buzzard, but they did not find Melodee. They also said the mother was uncooperative with the investigation.
Detectives urged anyone who may have seen Melodee or had any contact with her in the past year to come forward.
“Even small details may be critical in helping investigators ensure her safety,” the department said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Sheriff’s detectives at 805-681-4150.