The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was not previously seen for more than a year and hadn’t been photographed in at least two.
Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, has been “uncooperative” in the investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives have still yet to receive any verified explanation for her current whereabouts.
But an important new development has happened that may provide a glimmer of hope for her safe return.
On Friday, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that its recent call for public assistance has netted at least one potential lead and a confirmed sighting this year.
According to Sheriff’s spokesperson Raquel Zick, detectives have confirmed that Melodee was seen as recently as August 2025.
Officials did not say where or by whom she was seen, but are encouraged by the new information.
“This important update helps narrow a significant gap in the timeline of when she was last known to be seen and because of that, we’re closer to understanding what happened to Melodee,” said SBSO Chris Gotschall from the Criminal Investigations Division.
Gotschall thanked the Lompoc Unified School District for bringing Melodee’s absence to their attention.
“Lompoc Unified School District deserves credit for recognizing that something wasn’t right, reaching out, and continuing to assist with this investigation,” he said.
Melodee, who is homeschooled, lived in Vandenberg Village, a small community adjacent to Lompoc in northern Santa Barbara County near the Space Force Base that shares its name.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 805-681-4150. Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 805-681-4171.
Despite lack of cooperation from Buzzard’s mother, at this time, the Sheriff’s Office has not said if foul play is suspect or if Melodee’s disappearance is considered suspicious. She is continued to be considered “at-risk.”
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