Topline: Sheriff Bill Brown described the crime as “calculated” and “cold-blooded” following the discovery of the child’s body in Utah.
Published: December 28, 2025 4:00 pm ET
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Left: Melodee Buzzard, Right: Ashlee Buzzard via Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Authorities arrested a Lompoc woman on first degree murder charges after her 9-year-old daughter was found dead in a rural area of Utah.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced that Ashlee L. Buzzard, 40, was taken into custody Dec. 23 on charges of first degree murder in the death of her daughter, Melodee E. Buzzard. The girl had been missing since October, when school officials reported her prolonged absence.
Buzzard is expected to face arraignment in the coming days. Prosecutors said they will pursue a first-degree murder charge, citing evidence of premeditation.
Melodee’s remains were discovered Dec. 6 in Wayne County, Utah, near Caineville. A couple taking photos along Utah State Route 24 spotted the body and contacted the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The FBI later confirmed through DNA testing that the remains belonged to Melodee.
Investigators said Melodee died from a gunshot wound to the head. Forensic testing also revealed that a cartridge found near her body matched a firearm linked to Buzzard, People magazine reported. Brown said the evidence demonstrated “cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation.”
At a Dec. 23 press conference, Brown described the case as “maternal filicide,” calling it rare and difficult to comprehend. “This was calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation,” he said, according to People magazine. Brown added that the investigation showed Buzzard had planned the killing during a trip through Utah.
Officials believe the crime occurred in October while Buzzard and her daughter were traveling. Law enforcement sources told People that Melodee was likely dead weeks before she was reported missing. Buzzard did not cooperate with investigators during the search, authorities said.
USA Today reported that Buzzard is being held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed in the coming days. She is scheduled to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for arraignment.
Melodee’s disappearance drew attention in early October when the Lompoc Unified School District reported her absence. Officials described her as “at-risk,” prompting a multi-agency search. The FBI joined the investigation, along with sheriff’s departments in California and Utah.
Buzzard had faced unrelated charges earlier in the case. A judge dismissed a false imprisonment charge against her on Nov. 20, The Santa Barbara Independent reported. That charge was not connected to her daughter’s disappearance.
Authorities said Buzzard engaged in suspicious behavior during the weeks surrounding Melodee’s disappearance. Investigators alleged she switched license plates on a rental car and held a man captive during a road trip. Officials said those actions complicated the search and raised concerns about her involvement.
The discovery of Melodee’s body ended a two-month search that spanned multiple states. Officials said the investigation required coordination between local law enforcement, federal agencies, and forensic specialists. Brown said the evidence pointed directly to Buzzard as the suspect.
Authorities have not released further details about Buzzard’s motive. The sheriff’s office said additional information will be provided during court proceedings.
Melodee’s death marks one of the most high-profile child homicide cases in Santa Barbara County in recent years. Brown said the case was particularly disturbing given the involvement of a parent. “Maternal filicide is rare and always difficult to comprehend,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to review Buzzard’s travel records and communications during the weeks leading up to Melodee’s disappearance.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Body Of Missing 9-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard Found, Mother In Custody
Sheriff Bill Brown described the crime as “calculated” and “cold-blooded” following the discovery of the child’s body in Utah.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 28, 2025 4:00 pm ET
Left: Melodee Buzzard, Right: Ashlee Buzzard via Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Authorities arrested a Lompoc woman on first degree murder charges after her 9-year-old daughter was found dead in a rural area of Utah.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced that Ashlee L. Buzzard, 40, was taken into custody Dec. 23 on charges of first degree murder in the death of her daughter, Melodee E. Buzzard. The girl had been missing since October, when school officials reported her prolonged absence.
Buzzard is expected to face arraignment in the coming days. Prosecutors said they will pursue a first-degree murder charge, citing evidence of premeditation.
Melodee’s remains were discovered Dec. 6 in Wayne County, Utah, near Caineville. A couple taking photos along Utah State Route 24 spotted the body and contacted the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The FBI later confirmed through DNA testing that the remains belonged to Melodee.
Investigators said Melodee died from a gunshot wound to the head. Forensic testing also revealed that a cartridge found near her body matched a firearm linked to Buzzard, People magazine reported. Brown said the evidence demonstrated “cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation.”
At a Dec. 23 press conference, Brown described the case as “maternal filicide,” calling it rare and difficult to comprehend. “This was calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation,” he said, according to People magazine. Brown added that the investigation showed Buzzard had planned the killing during a trip through Utah.
Officials believe the crime occurred in October while Buzzard and her daughter were traveling. Law enforcement sources told People that Melodee was likely dead weeks before she was reported missing. Buzzard did not cooperate with investigators during the search, authorities said.
USA Today reported that Buzzard is being held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed in the coming days. She is scheduled to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for arraignment.
Melodee’s disappearance drew attention in early October when the Lompoc Unified School District reported her absence. Officials described her as “at-risk,” prompting a multi-agency search. The FBI joined the investigation, along with sheriff’s departments in California and Utah.
Buzzard had faced unrelated charges earlier in the case. A judge dismissed a false imprisonment charge against her on Nov. 20, The Santa Barbara Independent reported. That charge was not connected to her daughter’s disappearance.
Authorities said Buzzard engaged in suspicious behavior during the weeks surrounding Melodee’s disappearance. Investigators alleged she switched license plates on a rental car and held a man captive during a road trip. Officials said those actions complicated the search and raised concerns about her involvement.
The discovery of Melodee’s body ended a two-month search that spanned multiple states. Officials said the investigation required coordination between local law enforcement, federal agencies, and forensic specialists. Brown said the evidence pointed directly to Buzzard as the suspect.
Authorities have not released further details about Buzzard’s motive. The sheriff’s office said additional information will be provided during court proceedings.
Melodee’s death marks one of the most high-profile child homicide cases in Santa Barbara County in recent years. Brown said the case was particularly disturbing given the involvement of a parent. “Maternal filicide is rare and always difficult to comprehend,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to review Buzzard’s travel records and communications during the weeks leading up to Melodee’s disappearance.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Body Of Missing 9-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard Found, Mother In Custody
Sheriff Bill Brown described the crime as “calculated” and “cold-blooded” following the discovery of the child’s body in Utah.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 28, 2025 4:00 pm ET
Left: Melodee Buzzard, Right: Ashlee Buzzard via Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Authorities arrested a Lompoc woman on first degree murder charges after her 9-year-old daughter was found dead in a rural area of Utah.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced that Ashlee L. Buzzard, 40, was taken into custody Dec. 23 on charges of first degree murder in the death of her daughter, Melodee E. Buzzard. The girl had been missing since October, when school officials reported her prolonged absence.
Buzzard is expected to face arraignment in the coming days. Prosecutors said they will pursue a first-degree murder charge, citing evidence of premeditation.
Melodee’s remains were discovered Dec. 6 in Wayne County, Utah, near Caineville. A couple taking photos along Utah State Route 24 spotted the body and contacted the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The FBI later confirmed through DNA testing that the remains belonged to Melodee.
Investigators said Melodee died from a gunshot wound to the head. Forensic testing also revealed that a cartridge found near her body matched a firearm linked to Buzzard, People magazine reported. Brown said the evidence demonstrated “cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation.”
At a Dec. 23 press conference, Brown described the case as “maternal filicide,” calling it rare and difficult to comprehend. “This was calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation,” he said, according to People magazine. Brown added that the investigation showed Buzzard had planned the killing during a trip through Utah.
Officials believe the crime occurred in October while Buzzard and her daughter were traveling. Law enforcement sources told People that Melodee was likely dead weeks before she was reported missing. Buzzard did not cooperate with investigators during the search, authorities said.
USA Today reported that Buzzard is being held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed in the coming days. She is scheduled to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for arraignment.
Melodee’s disappearance drew attention in early October when the Lompoc Unified School District reported her absence. Officials described her as “at-risk,” prompting a multi-agency search. The FBI joined the investigation, along with sheriff’s departments in California and Utah.
Buzzard had faced unrelated charges earlier in the case. A judge dismissed a false imprisonment charge against her on Nov. 20, The Santa Barbara Independent reported. That charge was not connected to her daughter’s disappearance.
Authorities said Buzzard engaged in suspicious behavior during the weeks surrounding Melodee’s disappearance. Investigators alleged she switched license plates on a rental car and held a man captive during a road trip. Officials said those actions complicated the search and raised concerns about her involvement.
The discovery of Melodee’s body ended a two-month search that spanned multiple states. Officials said the investigation required coordination between local law enforcement, federal agencies, and forensic specialists. Brown said the evidence pointed directly to Buzzard as the suspect.
Authorities have not released further details about Buzzard’s motive. The sheriff’s office said additional information will be provided during court proceedings.
Melodee’s death marks one of the most high-profile child homicide cases in Santa Barbara County in recent years. Brown said the case was particularly disturbing given the involvement of a parent. “Maternal filicide is rare and always difficult to comprehend,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to review Buzzard’s travel records and communications during the weeks leading up to Melodee’s disappearance.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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