The search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, missing since August, has intensified with the FBI joining the investigation. Melodee, who hails from Lompoc, California, a city roughly 60 miles north of Santa Barbara, has become the focus of a widespread search effort.

Initially, law enforcement reported that Melodee’s last confirmed sighting occurred a year ago. However, they have since updated this information, confirming that she was last seen in August.

The situation has drawn attention to a tragic family background. Relatives revealed that Melodee’s father tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident. Since then, they claim that Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, has prevented them from seeing the young girl. Concerns have been raised about Ashlee’s reported history of mental health issues and instability, adding complexity to the ongoing investigation.

Family members say the girl’s father died in a motorcycle accident, and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, had not allowed them to see Melodee. They also described Buzzard as having a history of mental illness and instability.

The last confirmed contact with Melodee was in August of 2025, when she and her mother went to the Lompoc Unified School District to register her for an independent study program.

The school alerted authorities after an employee realized the family had not checked in again after registering for the program.

Investigators went to the home and found Buzzard but not Melodee. They say Buzzard has not been cooperating with the investigation.

According to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s office, the most recent available photo of Melodee is two years old.

Anyone with information on Melodee should call 805-681-4150 or the tipline at 805-681-4171.