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Car used by missing California girl’s mom on road trip had license plates swapped to ‘avoid detection’

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Car used by missing California girl’s mom on road trip had license plates swapped to ‘avoid detection’

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The rental car that a missing 9-year-old California girl was last seen traveling in with her mother had its license plates swapped during a road trip “to avoid detection,” police revealed.

The whereabouts of Melodee Buzzard, of Lompoc, California, remained unknown Tuesday. She was “last seen along the return route via video surveillance on October 9, 2025, in the region between the Colorado–Utah border,” according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. It added that her 35-year-old mother, Ashlee Buzzard, “has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare.”

“Through their investigation, detectives have confirmed that Ashlee left California with Melodee in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially bearing California license plate 9MNG101, on October 7, 2025. Detectives believe that Ashlee and Melodee traveled as far as Nebraska, with a return trip that included Kansas,” according to the sheriff’s office.

“Beginning October 8, 2025, the Malibu was observed with a New York license plate HCG9677. It is unknown when the plate was installed or whether additional plates were used at other times during travel. The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee,” the sheriff’s office added. “Investigators believe it was used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection. When the vehicle was returned to the rental agency in Lompoc, California, the assigned California plate was on the vehicle.”

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MELODEE BUZZARD DISAPPEARANCE: NEW SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS SHOW MISSING CALIFORNIA GIRL, 9, IN POSSIBLE DISGUISE

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released a new surveillance image, left, of Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard captured at a rental car location in Lompoc, California, on Oct. 7, 2025. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office/FBI)

Investigators believe the rental vehicle traveled through Green River and Panguitch in Utah, northwest Arizona, Primm in Nevada and Rancho Cucamonga in California on or around Oct. 9.

“Detectives are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from October 9-10, 2025, or any video footage from their route of travel,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said.

FBI, DETECTIVES EXECUTE SEARCH WARRANTS AS ‘AT-RISK’ 9-YEAR-OLD REMAINS MISSING

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

The sheriff’s office said investigators are sharing additional surveillance images of Ashlee and Melodee that were captured at a rental car location in Lompoc at the start of their road trip on Oct. 7.

“Both Ashlee and Melodee appear to be wearing wigs with Melodee’s appearing darker and straighter than her natural hair,” the sheriff’s office said.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office previously said its investigation into the disappearance of Melodee Buzzard began on Oct. 14 after a school administrator reported her extended absence. Deputies then responded to her home in Lompoc and encountered her mother, Ashlee, but “Melodee was not at the home, and no verifiable explanation for her whereabouts was provided,” according to the office.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said a surveillance image showed Melodee Buzzard “wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and what appears to be a wig that is darker and straighter than her natural hair.” (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)

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Melodee Buzzard is described by police as being around 4 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 60 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office is assisting in the search.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Motorcyclist killed by hit-and-run truck driver in Sun Valley

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Motorcyclist killed by hit-and-run truck driver in Sun Valley

A truck driver was arrested for a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist in Sun Valley.

The Los Angeles Police Department identified the suspect as Edvard Gyulnazaryan, 64, of Glendale.

On May 28, police responded to the crash near Bradley Avenue and Tuxford Street around 4:20 a.m.

Gyulnazaryan was driving a semi-truck when he made a left turn onto a private property. 

A motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Bradley Avenue and Tuxford Street in Sun Valley on May 28, 2026. (Google Maps)

A motorcyclist from behind attempted to pass on the left side of the truck during the turn and was struck by the vehicle.

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Gyulnazaryan continued driving and did not stop to check on the motorcyclist, police said.

The biker was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. His name is being withheld pending identification and notification to next of kin.

Police said Gyulnazaryan returned to the scene hours later and was taken into custody. He was booked at the Van Nuys jail for felony hit-and-run causing death.

“Motorists are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves,” LAPD said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Detective Ramirez at 818-644-8025 or Officer Reyes at 818-644-8114. 

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During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man stabbed to death after violent dog attack on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Man stabbed to death after violent dog attack on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Loved ones are devastated after a 37-year-old man was attacked by a dog and stabbed to death by several men on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The unprovoked attack happened on May 20 as Berry Henderson, 37, was standing at a bus stop near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue around 3 p.m.

Surveillance video showed Henderson running into the street as a dog was seen chasing him and aggressively biting him. 

Henderson managed to pull out a knife and stabbed the dog to defend himself. That’s when a group of four men, one of whom was the dog’s owner, rushed over to attack Henderson. A suspect who was armed with a machete was seen stabbing and punching Henderson.

  • A group of four men stabbed and punched Barry Henderson after he stabbed the attacking dog in defense on May 20, 2026. (Henderson Family)
  • Berry Henderson, 37, tried to escape the area from his attackers who quickly cornered him again on May 20, 2026. (Henderson Family)
  • Loved ones held a candelight vigil at the crime scene on the Hollywood Walk Fame to honor Berry Henderson on May 29, 2026. (KTLA)
  • Berry Henderson, 37, is seen in a family photo.
  • Berry Henderson, 37, is seen in a family photo.
  • The victim's cousin, Demeya Brewer, speaks with KTLA at a candlelight vigil in Hollywood on May 29, 2026. (KTLA)
  • Surveillance video showed Berry Henderson, 37, running into the street as a violent dog was seen chasing him and aggressively biting him near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood on May 20, 2026. (Henderson Family)

The victim’s cousin, Sharon Grimes, said she was stunned that no bystanders acted to help Henderson.

“People around weren’t doing anything,” she said. “I didn’t see anybody try to come to his rescue, with all that blood. Nobody picked up the phone.”

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“That’s what makes it so shocking,” said Najee Ali, a community activist. “That someone could actually be stabbed to death, beaten and bit by a dog in broad daylight with no one helping.”

Henderson, who was critically injured, stumbled across the street while trying to escape the attackers, but the men quickly came after him again.

“He was running away,” said Demeya Brewer, the victim’s cousin. “He was down on the ground, running away and they still continued to attack him.”

Henderson, who had suffered multiple stab wounds, died from his injuries at the hospital. 

Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the scene and were able to locate and arrest three suspects. The fourth male suspect managed to escape.

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On Friday night, Henderson’s family gathered at the scene for a candlelight vigil to honor Henderson, who was a student at a local trade school. Family members said he was a peaceful man who was loved by his friends and community.

“My cousin was not a threat to anyone,” Brewer said. “This was his area, his neighborhood. Business owners knew him. We need more love and peace.”

Henderson’s family believes there are witnesses who likely know where the fourth suspect is hiding. They’re asking anyone with information on the case to call the LAPD at 213-382-9470.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man arrested for multiple Los Angeles freeway shootings: CHP

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Man arrested for multiple Los Angeles freeway shootings: CHP

A man suspected of repeatedly shooting at other vehicles while driving on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles County was arrested on May 29, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP pulled over the suspected shooter, Martin Moreno-Pacheco, in South Los Angeles at about 3:40 a.m. Friday. Prior to his arrest, CHP officers suspected that Moreno-Pacheco was connected to multiple freeway shootings in recent days.

On May 26, a driver reported a car-to-car shooting, which they said happened on the 405 Freeway near Wilmington Avenue on May 23. The victim told investigators that the person responsible for the shooting was driving a black pickup truck.

“The victim reported an unprovoked shooting occurred, resulting in damage to the victim’s vehicle,” CHP said.

The 405 Freeway near Wilmington Avenue in Los Angeles. (Google Street View)

On May 28, at about 5:30 a.m., another car-to-car shooting was reported on the 405 Freeway south of Vermont Avenue. The victim told investigators that their car was damaged in a shooting committed by someone in a black pickup.

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“Based on the investigation conducted, both incidents, as well as a third incident, which occurred on May 22, 2026, were determined to be committed by the same individual,” CHP said.

Moreno-Pacheco was found and arrested a week later. Upon searching Moreno-Pacheco’s truck, CHP officers found a loaded BB gun inside the truck’s passenger compartment.

No one was injured in the shootings, CHP said. CHP is asking any additional witnesses or victims of the alleged crimes to contact Officer C. Ortega at the CHP South Los Angeles Area office at (424) 551-4000.

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