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When the disappearance of Melodee Buzzard is initially reported, school authorities are alarmed, believing that the young girl has not been seen in over a year.
However, further investigation by the school district reveals that Melodee was actually seen more recently, having been re-enrolled for another year of homeschooling. Santa Barbara County sheriffs later discover that Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, departed from Lompoc with her daughter on October 7, with the pair being observed together at a car rental facility.
The last known sighting of Melodee, captured by security cameras, occurred on October 9. Ashlee returned home alone the following day. Melodee has now been unaccounted for over 35 days.
Authorities possess only an outdated photo of Melodee, taken more than two years ago, as she has been “homeschooled” in Vandenberg Village, just north of Lompoc, California.
On November 7, Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office on charges of false imprisonment. This charge is unrelated to Melodee and her disappearance, as it does not pertain to any child-related offense. The arrest is a separate matter that emerged amidst the ongoing investigation into Melodee’s case.
Four days after her arrest, Ashlee Buzzard entered a not guilty plea to false imprisonment. Prosecutors argue that Buzzard should remain incarcerated due to her flight risk and potential for violence.
However, her attorneys counter that she does not own a vehicle and did not specifically threaten Brewer with a box cutter. The judge agrees to grant Buzzard bail under close supervision and orders Buzzard to stay away from Brewer.
The 40-year-old is once again walking free.
Anyone with information asked to contact Santa Barbara County investigators at 805-681-4150. Anonymous calls can be made to the tip line at 805-681-4171. Contact the FBI at 800-225-5324.
Anonymous tipsters can also share information online to the sheriff’s office.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guests
- Raquel Zick – PIO for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
- Lizabeth Meza – Paternal Aunt of Melodee Buzzard (her husband was Melodee’s dad’s brother, her husband is deceased)
- Greg Morse – Criminal Defense Attorney of Morse Legal, Author of “The Untested” (found on Amazon)
- Lauren Johnson-Norris – Defense Attorney (specializing in juvenile, and CPS cases in Orange County, California), and Founder of Johnson Criminal Law Group
- Sydney Sumner- Investigative Reporter, ‘Crime Stories’
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Melodee Buzzard/Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office]