Candles and prayers lit up Mars Avenue on Friday night as dozens gathered for a vigil in support of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, as new developments were released in the case that has now drawn in multiple agencies across state lines.
Melodees fathers side of the family organized the event and say they refuse to give up hope.
If shes listening, we love you. Were here for you, and we just want you to be happy, said her grandmother, Lilly Denes. Call me there are numbers on the TV that you can call, and I will come pick you up.
Melodees father died in a motorcycle crash when Melodee was just six months old. Denes held a framed photograph of her son holding Melodee as a newborn.
This is my baby boy, hes gone, and she was just a baby, Denes said through tears. I know your dad is watching you from heaven. I love you, baby.
Family members say the weight of every passing day without answers is unbearable.
I just cant stop thinking about this. I hope something good comes out of this, said Melodees aunt, Bridgett Truhitte.
Residents from across the Lompoc community say they felt called to come out.
Melodee, we love you. We care about you. We want you to be safe, said Lompoc resident John Donkin.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office confirmed to KSBY News it is consulting with the Sheriffs Office on this matter, calling it an active investigation.
Authorities say Melodees mother, Ashley Buzzard, has been uncooperative. According to investigators, Melodee was last seen traveling with Ashley in a rental car during a three-day road trip between October 7 and 10. Ashley returned to California without Melodee. Surveillance images released by the Sheriffs Office appear to show Melodee wearing a wig under a gray hoodie, suggesting a possible attempt to disguise her according spokesperson Raquel Zick.
According to the Sheriffs Office, the road trip extended beyond Nebraska and included an unexpected stop in Kansas.
If you were to take a direct route there and back, it would not necessarily include the state of Kansas, said Zick. But the route on the way back did include the state of Kansas.
Earlier this week, a separate statement was shared by individuals identifying themselves as maternal relatives.
On behalf of the maternal family of Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard, we want to express our deep concern regarding the recent news of her disappearance. Our primary focus is on finding Melodee and ensuring her safety.
We ask the public and media to remember that this urgent situation is about finding Melodee, not criticizing her Mothers mental health. While Ashlees experiences may be a factor, we respectfully request that her privacy be protected and not exploited.
The past nine years have undoubtedly been incredibly difficult for Ashlee, and we hope this context encourages compassion rather than judgment. As reported, after giving birth to Melodee, Ashlee experienced the loss of Melodees father six months later. We believe she may have been experiencing untreated postpartum depression in addition to the grief from the loss of Melodees Father on top of her mental health struggles. All this while trying to do her best to hold it all together as a single Mom with little resources.
Our sole priority remains the safe return of Melodee and getting Ashlee the help she needs. We ask for privacy at this time, we will not be making any further statements. It is not our desire nor do we feel its productive to use the media or social media for anything other than bringing public awareness of Melodees disappearance. We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist authorities.
We would also like to thank all law enforcement agencys involved in working to bring Melodee home.”
The Maternal Family of Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard
However, Ashleys mother, Lori Miranda, told me she was not made aware of that statement and says she has not spoken to those family members in several years. Miranda also stated she is not aware of any family in Kansas, nor any known connection between Ashley and that state.
Local Attorney Michael B. Clayton, who is not directly involved in the case but has experience in family law issues, says the investigation could shift depending on what is found.
If that little girl doesnt turn up, they could file charges against the mother, Clayton said. They could file a child endangerment charges, felony endangerment charges.
Melodees disappearance remains an active missing person investigation. The Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone who may have seen her between October 7 and 10, possibly wearing a wig and gray hoodie, to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriffs Criminal Investigations Division at (805) 681-4150. Anonymous tips can be made at (805) 681-4171.