Key Takeaways
- Ashlee Buzzard was arrested for allegedly killing her 9-year-old daughter Melodee Buzzard, who was found dead in a rural area of Utah.
- The crime is believed to have been premeditated, with authorities finding significant evidence against Ashlee Buzzard, including a DNA link between the remains and familial DNA.
- The investigation was sparked by a school district administrator reporting Melodee’s extended absence, and authorities determined that Ashlee Buzzard had made deliberate efforts to prevent detectives from finding her daughter.
- A motive for the crime has not been determined, and Ashlee Buzzard is not cooperating with authorities.
- Ashlee Buzzard has been booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for first-degree murder on no bail status.
Introduction to the Case
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Ashlee Buzzard, a mother accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter Melodee Buzzard. The young girl was found dead in a rural area of Utah, and authorities believe she was killed shortly after she was last seen alive on October 9, near the Colorado-Utah border, during a road trip with her mother. Sheriff Bill Brown described the crime as "cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated," and stated that "ruthlessness" was involved in the actual commission of the crime.
The Investigation
The investigation into Melodee’s disappearance began on October 14, when a school district administrator reported her extended absence to authorities. Authorities determined that Melodee and Ashlee Buzzard had left their Lompoc, California, home on October 7 for a three-day road trip that took them to the Nebraska area. Melodee was last seen alive on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border, and Ashlee Buzzard returned home to Lompoc on October 10 with the car they had rented, but without Melodee. Authorities claimed that Ashlee Buzzard wore wigs and swapped license plates during the trip, in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
Evidence and Arrest
On December 6, the sheriff’s office in Wayne County, Utah, was contacted by a man and woman who found a decomposed body while taking photos in a rural area. The FBI crime lab later made a DNA link between the remains and familial DNA of Ashlee Buzzard, which led to her arrest. Additionally, the examination of a spent shell casing found in the Buzzard home matched what was found at the scene in Utah, and live similar rounds were found in Ashlee Buzzard’s car. While a murder weapon has not been recovered, authorities believe they have sufficient evidence to charge Ashlee Buzzard with first-degree murder.
Motive and Cooperation
A motive for the crime has not been determined, and authorities have stated that Ashlee Buzzard is not cooperating with the investigation. Sheriff Brown described the case as an example of "maternal filicide," which is rare and difficult to comprehend. The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the case, and Ashlee Buzzard has been booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on no bail status. The sheriff’s office has expressed their resolve to bring justice to Melodee and her family, and to ensure that Ashlee Buzzard is held accountable for her actions.
Conclusion and Reflection
The case of Melodee Buzzard’s murder is a tragic and disturbing one, and it has left many in the community shaken. The fact that a mother could allegedly commit such a heinous crime against her own child is difficult to understand, and it highlights the need for continued support and resources for families and individuals who may be struggling with mental health or other issues. As the investigation continues, it is hoped that justice will be served, and that Melodee’s memory will be honored. The sheriff’s office has asked that the community come together to support Melodee’s family and to remember the young girl who was taken from them far too soon.
