California police have released new surveillance footage of 9‑year‑old Melodee Buzzard, who vanished after a road trip that may have stretched as far as Nebraska. The files show Melodee on October 7, 2025, in a hooded sweatshirt with a dark, straight wig. Police suspect she tried to hide her identity.
The disappearance began when a school administrator reported Melodee missing on October 14. Deputies went to her home in Lompoc, where her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was present but did not give a clear explanation for Melodee’s whereabouts. Sheriff Bill Brown said the family has been “uncooperative” and that Melodee remains an “at‑risk missing person.”
Key details still unknown: where Melodee has been between October 7 and October 10, and what she is doing today. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office has joined the search. Investigators trace a possible itinerary that took Ashlee and Melodee from Lompoc through Kansas and up to Nebraska, using a rented white Chevrolet Malibu. The rental car, now in the FBI’s possession, no longer belongs to Ashlee.
Surveillance images captured at a local car‑rental agency on October 7 show Melodee walking out in the high‑traffic area. The house‑turned‑hooded sweatshirt and wig may have been a deliberate attempt to disguise her. Sheriff Brown noted that Ashlee is known to wear wigs, which could explain the look.
The missing girl is 4 ft 6 in tall, weighs about 60 lbs, and has brown hair and brown eyes. The investigation is narrowing the timeline to a critical three‑day window, but detectives have confirmed that Ashlee was back in Lompoc on October 10 inside the same rental vehicle, while Melodee was not in the car.
Officials urge anyone with information—video, photos, or any detail that could help trace Melodee—to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office or the FBI. Sheriff Brown called for “every lead” and mentioned that the public’s help is essential to bringing the child home.
The search continues with ongoing media coverage and community outreach. If you saw any vehicles, people, or unusual activity during that period, or have found any additional footage, please reach out right away. The safety and return of Melodee Buzzard remain the top priority for law‑enforcement agencies across California and beyond.
Source: Fox News
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