After more than a year of unanswered questions, investigators have uncovered a haunting image of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard — seen wearing a dark wig and hooded sweatshirt. The photo, released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, is believed to be the last confirmed sighting of the girl before she vanished during a trip out of state with her mother.
Detectives say the image could hold the key to what happened during the three-day road trip that ended with only one person returning home. The FBI is now analyzing every frame of footage to determine whether Melodee was attempting to hide — or was told to disguise herself.
Authorities urge anyone who recognizes the child or recalls seeing someone matching her appearance in early October 2025 to contact the national tip line immediately.