A Lompoc Valley mom whose 9-year-old daughter remains missing apparently changed the license plate on a rental car during a recent trip east, with investigators now saying the girl, Melodee Buzzard, was last seen Oct. 9 near the Colorado-Utah border.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office detectives have confirmed Ashlee Buzzard, 40, of Vandenberg Village, left California with Melodee on Oct. 7 in a rented white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially bearing California license plate 9MNG101, according to Monday’s update.
They believe the pair travelled as far as Nebraska, with a return trip that included Kansas. Ashlee Buzzard reportedly returned to the Lompoc Valley without the girl.
However, beginning Oct. 8, the Malibu was observed with New York license plate HCG9677. Investigators don’t know when the license plate was installed or whether other plates were used during the trip.
“The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee,” said Raquel Zick, Sheriff’s Office public information officer.
“Investigators believe it was used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection. When the vehicle was returned to the rental agency in Lompoc California, the assigned California plate was on the vehicle.”
On Monday, investigators revealed they are working with law enforcement officers from San Bernardino County and four other western states in the effort to locate the missing girl.
The search for Melodee began Oct. 14 when educators contacted the Sheriff’s Office about the girl’s prolonged absence.
When deputies visited the mother’s and daughter’s home on Mars Avenue, they only encountered Ashlee Buzzard “who provided no verifiable explanation for Melodee’s whereabouts.
“A search of the residence confirmed that Melodee was not there. Ashlee has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Last week, Sheriff’s Office investigators and FBI agents conducted follow-up searches at the home.
Detectives have now confirmed that Melodee was last seen via video surveillance along the return route on Oct. 9, in the region between the Colorado–Utah border.
“Investigators are working to fill gaps in the timeline for that date and are working with law enforcement agencies in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California for assistance in reaching the members of their communities,” Zick said.
Also Monday, investigators provided more detail about the route traveled by the rental Malibu on or around Oct. 9.
Those include:
- Green River, Utah
- Panguitch, Utah
- Northwest Arizona
- Primm, Nevada
- Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino County
“The Sheriff’s Office is sharing a map of the vehicle’s stops and urges anyone in those communities to check surveillance and report relevant information,” Zick said.
Detectives also asked that anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from Oct. 9 to 10 to contact the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators also want any video footage from the mother-daughter’s route of travel.
Investigators also released additional surveillance images of Ashlee and Melodee that were captured at a rental car location in Lompoc at the start of the Oct. 7 road trip.
“Both Ashlee and Melodee appear to be wearing wigs, with Melodee’s appearing darker and straighter than her natural hair,” the Sheriff’s Office said in the latest case update.
Melodee is described as 9 years old, approximately 4 feet, 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes.
Authorities released a verified photograph of her but said it is about two years old, and her appearance may have changed since it was taken.
“Detectives will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available that does not compromise the integrity of the investigation,” officials said.
Anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts can contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling detectives at 805.681.4150 or the anonymous tip line at 805.681.4171.
Additionally online tips may be submitted anonymously by clicking here.
