The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, whose whereabouts police say have remained unknown for nearly a year.
The investigation began when Melodee’s long absence from school prompted a school administrator to report her missing on Oct. 14.
Deputies visited the family’s home in the 500 block of Mars Avenue to reach Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, but left without answers—neither Melodee nor a clear explanation for her absence was found, the sheriff’s office said in a press release Oct. 22.
Authorities say that efforts to confirm any recent sightings of Melodee have so far been unsuccessful. The last time anyone can verify having contact with her was about a year ago, and the most recent photograph available to investigators is from two years ago.
Detectives are urging anyone who has seen Melodee or had contact with her at any point in the last year to contact the sheriff’s office immediately. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact detectives at the sheriff’s office at (805) 681-4150. Anonymous tips can be shared by calling (805) 681-4171 or by submitting details online at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s official website.