The mother of missing California girl Melodee Buzzard allegedly changed a rental car’s license plate to “avoid detection.”
According to a Wednesday statement released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Ashlee Buzzard rented a car in Lompoc, and took a cross-country trip on October 7, with possible stops in Kansas and Nebraska.
Security footage placed both Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard, 9, at the car rental business while wearing wigs that same day.
Investigators said they believe that the wig was used to alter Melodee’s appearance. They also noted that Ashlee Buzzard is known to wear wigs.
The rental car, described as a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially had California license plate 9MNG101. On October 8, Buzzard allegedly changed it to New York license plate HCG9677.
“It is unknown when the plate was installed or whether additional plates were used at other times during travel. The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee,” the sheriff’s office said.
On October 9, security footage showed Melodee in the vehicle, “in the region between the Colorado–Utah border.”
The sheriff’s office shared a map of the locations they believe Ashlee Buzzard traveled to before returning home.
“Detectives are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from October 9-10, 2025, or any video footage from their route of travel,” the sheriff’s office said.
When Buzzard returned the car, it had the California license plate back on.
Ashlee Buzzard arrived back at her Vandenberg Village home, in the 500 block of Mars Avenue on October 10. Melodee was not with her, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
Wednesday’s statement indicated that Buzzard has remained uncooperative in the investigation.
The sheriff’s office, along with the FBI, previously carried out search warrants at Buzzard’s home, but Melodee remains unaccounted for.
READ MORE: Melodee Buzzard Timeline: Search for Missing 9-Year-Old California Girl Continues
Melodee is described as standing 4 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information regarding Melodee’s whereabouts is asked to call Santa Barbara County investigators at 805-681-4150. Anonymous calls can be made to the tip line at 805-681-4171. Contact the FBI at 800-225-5324.
Anonymous tipsters can also share information online to the sheriff’s office.
Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]
