A man has come forward with claims that Melodee Buzzard, a missing young girl from California, might still be alive. This assertion comes after he accused the girl’s mother of false imprisonment.

Tyler Brewer shared with NewsNation that during a visit to Ashlee Buzzard’s home in Lompoc on November 6, she began behaving erratically. She allegedly accused Brewer of collaborating with authorities to reunite 9-year-old Melodee with her father’s family.

It is important to note that Melodee’s father passed away in a motorcycle accident when she was just an infant. According to Melodee’s aunt, who spoke on “Crime Stories,” the father’s family has not had any contact with Melodee for several years.

Brewer further alleged that Ashlee Buzzard “shut her eyes and clenched her fists,” subsequently locking her door and preventing him from leaving the premises.

After she eventually allowed Brewer to exit, he decided to press charges against her. Subsequently, on Friday, authorities arrested Ashlee Buzzard on charges of false imprisonment.

Brewer reportedly said that Melodee could be in Utah, adding that Ashlee Buzzard that she told him where she left her at, but he doesn’t know if it’s true.

Brewer said he has known Ashlee Buzzard since 2014, and began checking on her after news regarding Melodee’s disappearance. He described her behavior as “paranoid.”

Ashlee Buzzard, currently behind bars, is schedule for a court appearance Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the search for Melodee continues.

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.

The rental car, described as a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially had California license plate 9MNG101. On October 8, Buzzard allegedly changed it to New York license plate HCG9677.

“It is unknown when the plate was installed or whether additional plates were used at other times during travel. The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee,” the sheriff’s office said.

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.

Police believe Ashlee Buzzard drove through the following locations before returning home to Lompoc without Melodee.

• Green River, Utah
• Panguitch, Utah
• Northwest Arizona
• Primm, Nevada
• Rancho Cucamonga, California

Authorities are now asking businesses and residents and in the aforementioned areas to look at surveillance footage from October 9 and 10.

Before returning the car on October 10, Ashlee Buzzard put the California plate back on the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information regarding Melodee’s whereabouts is urged to call 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.

Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard

[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]