Ashlee Buzzard in custody in connection with missing daughter case

California authorities will announce “main developments” within the disappearance of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard after her mom, Ashlee Buzzard, was taken into custody in reference to the investigation, the Santa Barbara County District Lawyer’s Workplace and Sheriff’s Workplace confirmed to Fox Information Digital.

Multiple sources report this to ABC News that Melodee’s physique was present in early December in Utah, in an space the place investigators imagine she and her mom traveled in October. Authorities imagine the 9-year-old was killed and was seemingly lifeless earlier than she was reported lacking, the sources stated.

Based on ABC Information, Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody after DNA outcomes linked her to the recovered stays. Officers haven’t but publicly confirmed these particulars and Fox Information Digital has reached out to authorities for added remark.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Workplace stated the developments might be mentioned intimately at a information convention Tuesday at 2 p.m. native time.

MISSING ‘IN RISK’ GIRL MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOTHER APPEARS IN COURT AFTER ALLEGED BOX-CUTTER STANDOFF

Ashlee Buzzard, left, the mom of Melodee Buzzard, proper, is seen in a surveillance picture taken at a automobile rental company in Lompoc, California, on October 7, 2025. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Workplace)

Buzzard, 35, was beforehand in custody on an unrelated offense of false imprisonment, and officers haven’t but revealed how the brand new improvement is instantly associated to the lacking youngster case.

Melodee, who authorities described as “high-risk,” was final seen on Oct. 7 whereas touring together with her mom after the couple left California in a rented Chevrolet Malibu.

CHARGES AGAINST MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOTHER FIRED, ANKLE MONITOR REMOVED AS FBI HUNT FOR MISSING 9-YEAR-OLD

Based on the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Workplace, Melodee Buzzard was reported lacking on October 14. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Workplace and FBI)

Investigators say the automobile traveled via a number of states earlier than being returned, and authorities imagine the license plates have been briefly switched throughout the journey.

The Sheriff’s Workplace stated it started investigating Melodee’s disappearance on Oct. 14 after a faculty official reported her prolonged absence.

Ashlee Buzzard sits together with her lawyer on the protection desk throughout testimony in courtroom. (Jamie Vera/Fox Information)

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Deputies have stated Buzzard failed to offer a verifiable clarification for her daughter’s location and was uncooperative in confirming Melodee’s well-being.

It is a improvement story. Test again later for updates.

Stepheny Value covers crime together with lacking individuals, murders and migrant crime. Ship story tricks to stepheny.worth@fox.com.