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The body of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has been found in rural Utah, and her mother has been arrested and charged with her murder, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced Tuesday.
During a press conference, Brown said Melodee’s remains were discovered earlier this month in a remote area of Utah, and that investigators moved swiftly after forensic evidence tied the crime to her mother, Ashlee Buzzard.
Authorities arrested Buzzard early Tuesday morning following the execution of search and arrest warrants, Brown said. She was taken into custody without incident and booked on a charge of first-degree murder. She is being held without bail.
“This is an extremely tragic case,” Brown said, describing the killing as an instance of maternal filicide, a crime he said is rare and deeply difficult to comprehend.
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“But this level of criminal activity is particularly shocking,” Brown added, citing what he described as the “calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation” involved.
Brown said investigators recovered significant evidence indicating the crime was committed by Melodee’s mother, the very person the child trusted most.
Authorities detailed how Melodee’s body was discovered on Dec. 6, after two people came across a decomposed body while taking photographs in a remote area of Utah. Local authorities responded and later determined the remains belonged to a young female.
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Two days later, Utah investigators notified the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office of the discovery. Brown said it was apparent the child had died from gunshot wounds to the head, though her identity could not immediately be confirmed.
Forensic work would later provide that confirmation and directly link the crime scene to Buzzard.
Brown said investigators recovered ballistic evidence while executing search warrants connected to the case, including an expended cartridge case and live ammunition. Analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that cartridge cases recovered at the Utah crime scene matched a cartridge case found during a search tied to Buzzard.
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The FBI crime lab later confirmed through DNA analysis that the remains found in Utah were a familial match to Buzzard, identifying the victim as Melodee.
With those results in hand, authorities moved to make an arrest.
Brown said investigators do not believe anyone else was involved in Melodee’s killing and that there are no additional suspects at this time. He added that authorities have not recovered the murder weapon and have not yet determined a motive, but emphasized the investigation remains active as detectives continue working closely with prosecutors.
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Melodee had been reported missing in October after leaving California on a road trip with her mother. Authorities previously described the child as “at-risk” and said immediate concerns were raised after she failed to appear at school and her whereabouts could not be verified.
In closing remarks, Brown reflected on the broader impact of the case.
“The loss of a child is among the most profound tragedies any community can endure,” he said. “That loss is exacerbated when it is at the hand of someone else and particularly at the hand of the one who should have loved them the most.”
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“Today we stand together in grief, but also with resolve,” Brown added. “Melodee deserved a far better life than she had. We will honor her memory by ensuring that every step of this process is handled with care, compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice.”
“Our investigation does not end here,” Brown said. “We will continue working closely with prosecutors and ensure that the judicial process moves forward with integrity. May God bless the innocent soul of Melodee Buzzard, who we will never, ever forget.”
Fox News’ Jamie Vera contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to [email protected].
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