A woman in California is facing murder charges following the discovery of her missing 9-year-old daughter’s remains in the United States. The accused, Ashlee Buzzard, 40, was taken into custody on December 23 after authorities connected bullet cartridges near the child’s body to a used cartridge case found at Buzzard’s residence in Utah.
The body of Melodee Buzzard was found on December 6 in a remote area of Utah by individuals taking photographs off State Route 24. Despite initial difficulty in identifying the body, law enforcement determined that the cause of death was gunshot wounds to the head, with DNA analysis confirming a match to Buzzard.
Further investigations revealed similar ammunition in a vehicle rented by Buzzard. She is currently detained without bail at the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Barbara. Although details about her court appearance or legal representation were not immediately available, the public defender’s office had represented her in a previous case.
The case unfolded after a school administrator reported Melodee Buzzard missing on October 14. Authorities discovered that Ashlee Buzzard and her daughter had traveled extensively across several states, altering their appearance and license plate along the way. Despite returning home without her daughter, Buzzard’s actions were described by officials as calculated and premeditated.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, as the murder weapon has not yet been located. Family members mourned the loss of Melodee, remembering her as a lovable and well-behaved child. Despite the tragic outcome, authorities are determined to seek justice for the young victim.