The tragic discovery of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard’s remains has been confirmed by authorities.

According to information provided to ABC News by several law enforcement sources, Melodee’s body was located in Utah in early December. The area where she was found coincides with a location her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, had visited.

DNA testing is underway to officially verify Melodee’s identity, but initial findings suggest she had been deceased for several months.

Authorities apprehended Ashlee Buzzard on Tuesday morning at her home in Vandenberg Village.

As reported by KSBY, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at Ashlee Buzzard’s residence on Mars Avenue shortly before 8 a.m. to take her into custody.

Neighbors told the outlet that authorities pried Buzzard’s door open after banging on it with a metal object. After detaining Buzzard, they led her away in handcuffs.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s County Office is expected to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. PST.

Previous Video Coverage

As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Buzzard rented a car in Lompoc, and embarked on a cross-country trip on October 7, with possible stops in Kansas and Nebraska.

Security footage placed both Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee at the car rental business while wearing wigs that same day.

According to the sheriff’s office, Melodee was last seen on October 9, between the Colorado–Utah border, on a return route.

“Somewhere along that route is where we know Ashlee was no longer with Melodee,” Raquel Zick, Public Information Officer with SBCSO, said.

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[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]