Found Deceased CA - Melodee Buzzard, 9, Vandenberg Village, 14 Oct 2025 *Mother arrested*

[Hexe]

I'm confused. She was reported missing 10/2025, didn't we see the both of them on CCTV at a car rental place after that? How could she have been deceased before she was reported missing?

I said at the very beginning it was a cosplay.

 

[Cedars]

Um, you're not from the west, are you?

Actually, this is very close to Highway 24 which carries a lot of tourist traffic doing the Big 5 Utah National Parks mostly in the summer but also well into fall.

There is a campground less than a mile away. There is a small town of Caineville and it has named streets. It is clearly a place you can drive to in a vehicle like a Chevy Malibu.

However, it sounded like the finders may have stopped the car and were looking around that spot...maybe my misperception.

 

[Herat]

However, it sounded like the finders may have stopped the car and were looking around that spot...maybe my misperception.

It looks like the kind of a place where you turn off the highway to "stretch your legs" or "let the dogs out for a bit". My first thought is that someone just turned out there for a quick stop and found her resting site accidentally.

 

[swanniee11]

Wasn't she spotted in Nebraska? What are the gun laws there? Could she have drived all the way there for a gun? Did she know someone there? Can't figure out the road trip

 

[swanniee11]

However, it sounded like the finders may have stopped the car and were looking around that spot...maybe my misperception.

IIRC, the presser said a man and woman stopped to take pictures and spotted a body there.

 

[mickey2942]

Good grief this really IS remote!
Completely by chance those people found her. I imagine they'll never get over it either!

So interesting. I have always had a vague feeling that sometimes a spirit hangs around the body, willing it to be found. For justice.

Of course, this year the weather has been extremely mild, hardly any snow. Not even cold. A lot of people go to BLM land there to cut down Christmas trees.

 

[Herat]

IIRC, the presser said a man and woman stopped to take pictures and spotted a body there.

Stopping to take a picture of a pretty spot and you find the body of a 9 year old murdered little girl.

 

[Knox]

Um, you're not from the west, are you?

Actually, this is very close to Highway 24 which carries a lot of tourist traffic doing the Big 5 Utah National Parks mostly in the summer but also well into fall.

There is a campground less than a mile away. There is a small town of Caineville and it has named streets. It is clearly a place you can drive to in a vehicle like a Chevy Malibu.

She literally dropped her body near the road. But since a shell casing was found, I’m guessing she shot her at that location also? No mention of blood evidence in the car.

They said they have evidence of planning and premeditation. Remember what Ashlee supposedly said to Tyler - she’d rather see Melodee in a foster or group home, than to be with either side of the family’s.

Guess she took that a whole lot further and decided Melodee was better off dead?

Think we’ll see an attempt at a insanity defense?

 

[lonetraveler]

Ashlee acted alone? No one else was involved.

Hard to grasp, isn't it?

 

[strawberry]

remains found somewhere along here per presser on state route 24 near the intersection of Cainville Rd.
Cathedral Valley Inn · 25 UT-24, Caineville, UT 84775

View attachment 632678

What a desolate depressing looking site

 

[strawberry]

Good grief this really IS remote!
Completely by chance those people found her. I imagine they'll never get over it either!

What a depressing place for her to have been dumped. So desolate

 

[lonetraveler]

Wasn't she spotted in Nebraska? What are the gun laws there? Could she have drived all the way there for a gun? Did she know someone there? Can't figure out the road trip

If this "mother" can shoot her 9 yr old daughter in the head several times, she would have killed her anyway without the gun.

 

[Stunned]

If this "mother" can shoot her 9 yr old daughter in the head several times, she would have killed her anyway without the gun.

Why on earth did she have to shoot her several times? How much hate towards her did she have?

 

[Ontario Mom]

I can only hope it was so fast she didn't feel a thing. Truly heartbreaking.

 

[Cedars]

Why on earth did she have to shoot her several times? How much hate towards her did she have?

I.think that's common because the shooter doesn't see themselves as expert marksman who can slay with a single bullet. They may want to ensure the victim feels no pain, and dies instantly...

JMO

 

[MollyHarps]

Pure evil.

What a lovely looking young girl Melodee was - she could have been a child model

 

[Chimera]

Good grief this really IS remote!
Completely by chance those people found her. I imagine they'll never get over it either!

Near the intersecting roads but it does look remote.
I hope the people who found Melodee know that this will help bring closure to everyone who loved her and also a huge step towards justice for this little girl !

Like someone mentioned above... maybe Melodee's spirit guided them ?
Hopefully that or similar thoughts can comfort them.
This is something that will stay with you.

Imo.

 

[Chimera]

IIRC, the presser said a man and woman stopped to take pictures and spotted a body there.

Dumped like she was garbage by a horrible monster who doesn't deserve to be called a 'mom'.
What a disturbing sight.
Poor people.

But Melodee's spirit was already gone and in paradise.
No more pain, hunger and loneliness.
(We may never know what Ashlee may have put her through, & it's a guess -- but she might attempt to picture herself as a good, but misunderstood mother ?)

Even if the other family members were able to get custody, Ashlee might have fought tooth and nail for the daughter she didn't deserve and made Melodee's life a misery ?
Just wish it could have turned out differently for this young girl.
Omo.

Eta : It's surprising that Ashlee didn't at least bury her victim ?
Melodee might never have been found, then ?
Shot her and just left her little body laying in plain sight.

 

[deoneta]

So tragic that this beautiful child was murdered. I had stopped reading this thread because I got so angry that Ashlee wasn't in jail. California has the death penalty, but it's not carried out when sentenced. I can't imagine a motive. I only think of evil.

 

[Knox]

I wonder if intent in SB county was because of the rental car being there….

IMO, the intent is the evidence of premeditation and planning that happened in SB County. Whatever that turns out to be.