VANDENBERG VILLAGE, CA – The maternal grandmother of a missing 9-year-old California girl has broken her silence amid a growing search effort, revealing troubling details about the child’s mother’s mental health and her fears for the girl’s safety.
Melodee Buzzard was last confirmed seen on October 7, 2025, in Vandenberg Village, a small community in Santa Barbara County. School officials reported her missing on October 14 after noticing the child hadn’t picked up her independent study assignments for an extended period.
The last documented contact with school officials occurred in August 2025, when Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, registered the girl for the new school year. Since then, the child has seemingly vanished, prompting a multi-agency investigation that now includes the FBI.
Lori Miranda, Melodee’s maternal grandmother, revealed she had not spoken to her daughter in over a year before learning of her granddaughter’s disappearance. Miranda expressed deep concern about Ashlee Buzzard’s mental health, recalling a previous incident when authorities had been preparing to hospitalize her daughter.
Miranda described disturbing conditions when she last visited the home, finding it “in disarray” with “raw eggs in pans” and “rotten food” throughout the residence. The revelations paint a troubling picture of the environment in which the young girl was living before she disappeared.
Ashlee Buzzard, 34, has been uncooperative with investigators since her daughter’s disappearance came to light. She has refused to answer questions from law enforcement and has offered no valid explanations for Melodee’s whereabouts, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe the mother and daughter may have traveled to Nebraska in a white Chevrolet Malibu rental vehicle bearing California license plate 9MNG101. Law enforcement agencies in multiple states have been alerted to watch for the vehicle and the missing pair.
A search warrant was executed at the family’s Vandenberg Village home, though officials have not disclosed what evidence, if any, was recovered during that search. The home has been processed by forensic teams as investigators work to piece together what happened to the young girl.
The FBI has joined the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation, bringing additional resources to bear in the search for Melodee. The involvement of federal authorities suggests investigators are treating this as a potential interstate case and indicates the seriousness with which law enforcement is approaching the disappearance.
Melodee is described as a 9-year-old girl who should be in elementary school. Her last confirmed sighting was more than two weeks ago, and each passing day increases concern for her welfare among investigators and the community.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Melodee Buzzard’s whereabouts to come forward immediately. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has established dedicated tip lines for information related to the case.
Miranda’s decision to speak publicly about her daughter’s mental health struggles and the conditions in the home reflects the desperation felt by family members who fear for Melodee’s safety. The grandmother emphasized she had been trying to maintain contact with her granddaughter but was prevented from doing so.
The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile missing children cases where parental mental health issues and isolation from extended family created dangerous situations for vulnerable children. Child welfare advocates say this case underscores the importance of family members speaking up when they have concerns about a child’s safety.
Anyone with information about Melodee Buzzard’s location is urged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office at 805-681-4150 or 805-681-4171. Tips can also be provided to the FBI by calling 800-225-5324. All calls can be made anonymously.
