New twist in urgent search for missing 9-year-old
In California investigators have been looking for Melodee Buzzard since last month. Officials say new images show Buzzard and her mother in disguise appearing to be wearing wigs – days before her school reported her missing. NBC Newsâ Steve Patterson has the story.
The desperate search for a missing 9-year-old girl took a troubling turn, as investigators in California said the rental car she was spotted in while on a road trip with her mother had its license plate swapped “to avoid detection.”
The Santa Barbara County Sheriffâs Office said Melodee Buzzard hasn’t been seen in nearly a month, adding that her mother, 35-year-old Ashlee Buzzard, continues to be uncooperative.
Through their investigation, detectives have confirmed that Ashlee left California with Melodee in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially bearing California license plate 9MNG101, on October 7, 2025,” the sheriff’s office said in an news release on Monday.
Detectives believe that Ashlee and Melodee travelled as far as Nebraska, with a return trip that included Kansas,” authorities added. “Beginning October 8, 2025, the Malibu was observed with a New York license plate HCG9677.
The sheriff’s office said said it is wasn’t immediately known when the plate was installed or whether other plates were used. They also didn’t say who they think switch the plate.
The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee,” according to the release. “Investigators believe it was used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection. When the vehicle was returned to the rental agency in Lompoc California, the assigned California plate was on the vehicle.”
Mystery deepens in search for missing 9-year-old after shocking license plate twist
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Investigators said Melodee was last seen along the return route between the ColoradoâUtah border when she was spotted on security video on October 9. They said detectives are trying to fill gaps in the timeline.They added that they believe the Malibu traveled through the following areas on or around October 9:
Green River, Utah
Panguitch, Utah
Northwest Arizona
Primm, Nevada
Rancho Cucamonga, CaliforniaThe Sheriffâs Office is sharing a map of the vehicleâs stops and urges anyone in those communities to check surveillance and report relevant information,” authorities said in the release.” Detectives are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from October 9-10, 2025, or any video footage from their route of travel.”
Mystery deepens in search for missing 9-year-old after shocking license plate twist (Photo: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)Detectives also released a new surveillance photo of Ashlee and Melodee. The still image was captured on October 7 at a rental car location in Lompoc California at the start of the road trip, according to authorities.
Mystery deepens in search for missing 9-year-old after shocking license plate twist (Photo: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)They said Ashlee and Melodee appear to be wearing wigs, with Melodeeâs wig appearing darker and straighter than her natural hair.
The sheriff’s office previously release other images of Melodee, saying she appeared to be wearing a disguise.
Authorities said the investigation started on October 14 after a school administrator reported Melodee’s extended absence.
The sheriff’s office said deputies went to the child’s home in Lompoc, where they spoke to Ashlee. Melodee wasn’t there, and her mother didn’t give deputies a “verifiable explanation” for her daughter’s whereabouts.
The sheriff’s office said Melodee is approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall and 60 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Detectives urged anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts to contact the sheriffâs office at 805-681-4150 or via the Anonymous Tip Line at 805-681-4171. Online tips can be sent to sbsheriff.org.
