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Mom arrested on murder charge after body of missing ‘at-risk’ girl Melodee Buzzard found
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The body of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has been found in rural Utah, and her mother has been arrested and charged with her murder, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced Tuesday.
During a press conference, Brown said Melodee’s remains were discovered earlier this month in a remote area of Utah, and that investigators moved swiftly after forensic evidence tied the crime to her mother, Ashlee Buzzard.
Authorities arrested Buzzard early Tuesday morning following the execution of search and arrest warrants, Brown said. She was taken into custody without incident and booked on a charge of first-degree murder. She is being held without bail.
“This is an extremely tragic case,” Brown said, describing the killing as an instance of maternal filicide, a crime he said is rare and deeply difficult to comprehend.
MELODEE BUZZARD DISAPPEARANCE: NEW SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS SHOW MISSING CALIFORNIA GIRL, 9, IN POSSIBLE DISGUISE
Ashlee Buzzard, left, the mother of Melodee Buzzard, right, is seen in a surveillance image taken at a rental car business in Lompoc, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2025. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
“But this level of criminal activity is particularly shocking,” Brown added, citing what he described as the “calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation” involved.
Brown said investigators recovered significant evidence indicating the crime was committed by Melodee’s mother, the very person the child trusted most.
Authorities detailed how Melodee’s body was discovered on Dec. 6, after two people came across a decomposed body while taking photographs in a remote area of Utah. Local authorities responded and later determined the remains belonged to a young female.
CHARGE AGAINST MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOM DISMISSED, ANKLE MONITOR REMOVED AS FBI HUNTS FOR MISSING 9-YEAR-OLD
Melodee Buzzard was reported missing on Oct. 14, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and FBI)
Two days later, Utah investigators notified the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office of the discovery. Brown said it was apparent the child had died from gunshot wounds to the head, though her identity could not immediately be confirmed.
Forensic work would later provide that confirmation and directly link the crime scene to Buzzard.
Brown said investigators recovered ballistic evidence while executing search warrants connected to the case, including an expended cartridge case and live ammunition. Analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that cartridge cases recovered at the Utah crime scene matched a cartridge case found during a search tied to Buzzard.
MISSING ‘AT-RISK’ GIRL MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOM APPEARS IN COURT AFTER ALLEGED BOX-CUTTER STANDOFF
Ashlee Buzzard sits with her attorney at the defense table during testimony in court. (Jamie Vera/Fox News)
The FBI crime lab later confirmed through DNA analysis that the remains found in Utah were a familial match to Buzzard, identifying the victim as Melodee.
With those results in hand, authorities moved to make an arrest.
Brown said investigators do not believe anyone else was involved in Melodee’s killing and that there are no additional suspects at this time. He added that authorities have not recovered the murder weapon and have not yet determined a motive, but emphasized the investigation remains active as detectives continue working closely with prosecutors.
MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOM PLOTTED TO ‘CUT OFF’ MISSING 9-YEAR-OLD FROM ‘ENTIRE WORLD,’ GRANDMA SAYS
Ashlee Buzzard appears in court with her attorney, Adrian Galavan. (Jamie Vera/Fox News)
Melodee had been reported missing in October after leaving California on a road trip with her mother. Authorities previously described the child as “at-risk” and said immediate concerns were raised after she failed to appear at school and her whereabouts could not be verified.
In closing remarks, Brown reflected on the broader impact of the case.
“The loss of a child is among the most profound tragedies any community can endure,” he said. “That loss is exacerbated when it is at the hand of someone else and particularly at the hand of the one who should have loved them the most.”
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“Today we stand together in grief, but also with resolve,” Brown added. “Melodee deserved a far better life than she had. We will honor her memory by ensuring that every step of this process is handled with care, compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice.”
“Our investigation does not end here,” Brown said. “We will continue working closely with prosecutors and ensure that the judicial process moves forward with integrity. May God bless the innocent soul of Melodee Buzzard, who we will never, ever forget.”
Fox News’ Jamie Vera contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
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The demolition of Aloha Stadium on Oahu took a big step forward Thursday with the first section of seating pulled down from the steel structure.
Half of the elevated deck-level seating on the stadium’s makai side was severed and toppled backward as part of demolition work that began in February.
The other half of the upper makai-side seating is slated to come down Tuesday, followed by similar sections on the mauka side and both end zones, though the concrete foundations for lower-level end-zone seating are being preserved for a new, smaller stadium to rise on the same site.
A private partnership, Aloha Halawa District Partners, led by local developer Stanford Carr, is replacing the 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium, which opened in 1975 and was shuttered in 2020, with a new stadium featuring up to 31,000 seats.
AHDP is using $350 million of state funding toward the cost of the new stadium, which could be $475 million or more, and will operate and maintain the facility on state land for 30 years with a land lease.
The development team also is to redevelop much of the 98-acre stadium property dominated by parking lots with a new mixed-use community that includes at least 4,100 residences, two hotels, an office tower, retail, entertainment attractions and open spaces expected to be delivered in phases over 25 years and costing close to or more than $5 billion or $6 billion.
Earlier parts of stadium demolition work led by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. included removing four covered multistory spiral walkways leading to the upper level from the ground, and concourse bridges.
Demolishing the stadium is projected to be done by August, according to Carr.
Building the new facility is expected to be finished in 2029.
The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 18.
Winning Powerball numbers from April 18 drawing
24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 18 drawing
Day: 9-5-1
Night: 0-2-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 18 drawing
Day: 4-6-0-4
Night: 9-9-8-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 18 drawing
18-21-22-32-42, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Idaho Cash numbers from April 18 drawing
08-19-22-31-44
Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 18 drawing
17-19-47-48-55, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
- Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- 5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 18, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 18 drawing
24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 18 drawing
18-21-22-32-42, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 18 drawing
10-16-29-31, Bonus: 13
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from April 18 drawing
06-08-09-20-22
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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