LAST IMAGE: The mysterious photo that changed everything in the search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard
Authorities have released a newly uncovered surveillance photo showing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard wearing a dark wig and hoodie just days before she vanished. Investigators now believe the image could hold a crucial clue to where she went — or who might have helped her disappear.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the photo was taken at a rental-car lot in Lompoc, California, on October 7, 2025 — the same day Melodee and her mother began their cross-country trip. When the car was returned three days later, only her mother was seen inside.
The FBI has since re-examined the timeline, focusing on the 72-hour gap between their departure and return. Detectives are calling the photo “the single most important lead so far,” as it may reveal whether Melodee was attempting to disguise herself or was told to hide her identity.