Melody Buzzard missing: New images released of missing California girl

California authorities released new surveillance images on Friday A 9-year-old child is missing The FBI said Jay may have been with her mother on a road trip “up to the state of Nebraska” before she went missing.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation into Melody Buzzard’s disappearance began on Oct. 14, after a school administrator reported her extended absences. Deputies then responded to her home in Lompoc and met with her 35-year-old mother, Ashley Buzzard, although “Melody was not home and no verifiable explanation of her whereabouts was given.”

“As part of this update, detectives are sharing surveillance images of Melody captured at a local car rental business on October 7th. In the photo, Melody is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a wig that is darker and straighter than her natural hair,” the sheriff’s office said in an update Friday. “Investigators believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance. Detectives also noted that Ashley is known to wear wigs.”

“Through their ongoing investigation, detectives have narrowed down the critical timeline to between October 7 and October 10, 2025. Investigators have confirmed that Ashley was seen returning to her Lompoc residence on October 10, driving the same rental vehicle she left on October 7 — but Melody was not in her office,”

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Melody Buzzard is shown in a photo the FBI says was taken in 2023. (FBI)

“Investigators understand that this three-day road trip from Lompoc to the Nebraska Territorywith a return trip to Kansas State. “Detectives are now focused on finding out where Melody was during those three days and where she might be now,” it added.

Melody Buzzard is described by police as being about 4 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Melody Buzzard was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and “a wig that appeared darker and straighter than her natural hair.” (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)

“Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We are seeking information from the public that will help us locate Melody,” Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown said in a statement. “We are determined to bring her home safely.”

The Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI Assisting in the search.

“Investigation revealed that Melody was with her mother as recently as October 7, 2025. It was also determined that Ashley may have traveled with Melody in a white Chevrolet Malibu (Lic #9MNG101) to a location outside of Santa Barbara County, California, including the state of Nebraska,” the agency said. “The vehicle was determined to be a rental car and is no longer in Ashley’s possession.”

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released a new image of “Melody Buzzard captured at a local car rental business” on October 7, 2025. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Melody remains an “at-risk missing person,” while her mother has been “uncooperative with investigators.”