US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
DNA Identifies Utah Remains as Melodee Buzzard, Mother Taken Into Custody
Melodee Buzzard's body was found in Utah after a multi-state trip; her mother Ashlee was arrested in California amid suspicion of evasion tactics, authorities said.
- On Dec. 23, 2025, law enforcement announced Melodee Buzzard’s remains were found in Utah in early December, and her mother, Ashley Buzzard, was taken into custody from her Vandenberg Village home.
- After school officials reported the absence on Oct. 14, investigators focused on Ashlee Buzzard’s return from an Oct. 7–10 road trip without Melodee, who was missing without explanation.
- Investigators say they executed search warrants in mid-October, the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the probe, and detectives mapped the road trip route through Utah and Nebraska.
- The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference to share major developments, after deputies took Ashlee Buzzard from her Mars Avenue home shortly before 7:45 a.m., officials said.
- Family members told local outlets that detectives notified them the child's body was found, as the case drew national attention with FBI involvement and online communities posting signs.
Insights by Ground AI
64 Articles
64 Articles
UPDATE: Body of Melodee Buzzard, 9, identified Monday; Ashlee Buzzard in custody on murder charge
The body of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was formally identified Monday using DNA analysis after it was recovered in early December in Wayne County Utah; her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, is in custody on a first-degree murder charge, according to Santa Barbara…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources64
Leaning Left11Leaning Right5Center28Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 25%
C 64%
11%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
