West
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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Montana
Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for July 10, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing
02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 10 drawing
10-13-23-30, Bonus: 02
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 10 drawing
14-42-46-47-57, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life 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.
Nevada
Planetary parade this weekend — when to see it in Northern Nevada
How smartphone apps turn your night sky into a space map
Astronomy apps help you spot constellations, planets and satellites in real time using your smartphone.
Skywatchers across the U.S. are about to be treated to a dazzling weekend filled with not only two active meteor showers, but a celestial alignment starring the moon.
For two nights, Earth’s only natural satellite will host a cosmic party with three planets — Mars, Saturn and Uranus.
The phenomenon, often called a planet parade, presents spectators with a rare opportunity to see not only multiple planets, but also the moon, appear close together in the night sky — at least, from Earth’s vantage.
The best part of the show? Most of the striking spectacle — with the exception of Uranus — will be visible to the naked eye.
Here’s everything to know about the rare sight, as well as when, how and where you can see it across the United States.
Moon to appear in sky with Mars, Saturn, Uranus
The moon will appear in the night sky before sunrise on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, NASA said in a monthly skywatching guide.
What is a planet parade?
While the term “planet parade” is not an official astronomy term, it is an unofficial way for astronomers and stargazers to refer to certain celestial events.
The planets in our solar system orbit the sun essentially along a line across the sky in a flat disc-shaped plane called the ecliptic.
Another term for a certain kind of planetary alignment, planet parades are what happens when planets line up along the ecliptic in a straight line and appear to us on Earth to be marching across the night sky, according to NASA. So, while planetary alignments themselves aren’t special, it is notable to have an opportunity to observe multiple planets at once.
How full will the moon be? What to know about lunar phase
During the celestial alignment, the moon will be entering a waning crescent phase before we have a new moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. That means Earth’s only natural satellite is getting less and less full and bright each night as its crescent gets thinner and thinner, NASA explains.
That’s good news for stargazers, as the moon will still be visible without outshining the planets nearby.
Where to see the planet parade in Nevada
Look toward the eastern sky to catch the cosmic lineup in the early morning.
While the moon will of course be the easiest to locate, Mars will look like a small reddish point of light, while Saturn is also bright and easy to spot, NASA explained in a video.
For the clearest views, there are several places that are an easy drive from Reno where you can get a clear view of the stars, including:
- Lake Tahoe: Multiple locations around the lake are excellent for stargazing that are less than an hour from Reno.
- Fort Churchill State Park The park on Alt. 95 south of Silver Springs provides a dark night sky ideal for evening astronomical events among the ruins of Fort Churchill. Park entrance costs $5 for Nevada residents and $10 for non-residents.
- Pyramid Lake: A popular spot for Renoites seeking a night of stargazing, the lake is less than an hour from The Biggest Little City. It offers beautiful natural wonders and dark skies that give a clear view of lunar eclipses, meteor showers and full moons.
Northwestern Nevada weather forecast for planetary parade
Cloudy conditions may bring relief from the recent heat wave, but they could spoil the early-morning view of the planetary parade in much of northwestern Nevada.
Reno, Carson City and Minden
- Friday: Clear and breezy overnight; lows 56-66.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy overnight; lows 60-70.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy overnight; lows 61-71.
Lake Tahoe and the central Sierra
- Friday: Clear and breezy overnight; lows 45-55.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy overnight; lows 48-58.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy overnight; lows 49-59.
Do you need a telescope to see celestial alignment?
Mars and Saturn are among the five planets in our solar system visible without optical aid — along with Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. Telescopes certainly will enhance the view but spectators don’t need any equipment to spot those planets joining the moon in the pre-dawn sky.
As for Uranus, the planet is typically not as bright — despite being the third largest in our solar system — and will require a telescope to see, NASA said.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com. The Reno Gazette Journal’s Carly Sauvageau and Brett McGinness contributed to this report.
New Mexico
NM Delegation Demands Answers On Reports Of DEA Declining To Seize Massive Fentanyl Shipments, Calls For Immediate Reforms
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) sent a letter demanding answers from U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance Cole on why the DEA allowed large quantities of fentanyl to circulate unseized in New Mexico communities.
Trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids poses one of the most severe — and often deadly — public health threats facing New Mexico and the nation. Illicit fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance, is an exceptionally potent synthetic opioid that can be fatal even in extremely small quantities. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been the primary driver of the overdose epidemic in the U.S.
Whistleblower complaints allege that Albuquerque-based DEA agents declined to interdict at least 1.8 million fentanyl pills between 2023 and 2025 in hopes of taking down a larger supply chain.
“We unequivocally assert that allowing fentanyl to go unseized creates an unconscionable risk to New Mexicans,” the lawmakers wrote to DEA Administrator Cole.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and DEA established “Fentanyl Protocols” directing agents to “seize or otherwise prevent the distribution” of fentanyl “as soon as practicable” to protect public safety. In 2024, the DOJ revised those protocols to provide law enforcement with greater discretion, allowing agents to weigh public safety risks against “the benefits to be achieved through preserving the investigation.” A 2024 DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigative summary further states that the U.S. Attorney’s Office acted reasonably in allowing certain drugs to remain unseized and concluded that doing so posed no “specific danger to public health and safety.”
“We adamantly disagree with this internal assessment, and we urge your agency to immediately revert fentanyl protocols to the 2017 standard of seize or otherwise prevent the distribution of fentanyl as soon as practicable,” the lawmakers underscored. “We will be taking all necessary actions in Congress to better ensure the safety of New Mexicans and expect that you will stand with us in those efforts.”
The lawmakers concluded their letter by demanding responses to a request for written documentation on all instances where the DEA declined to interdict fentanyl, and the following questions on the DEA’s fentanyl interdiction policies, investigative protocols, and enforcement practices:
- Provide comprehensive written documentation of all individual instances, occurring in New Mexico since January 2017, including dates, locations and amount of suspected contraband, during which DEA has declined to interdict fentanyl in the course of a Title III or electronic surveillance investigation. Please also indicate the extent to which fentanyl involved in these investigations was ultimately recovered.
- What are DEA’s current internal directives and guidelines dictating how federal agents manage active drug-trafficking investigations involving fentanyl? Specifically, what protocols instruct agents on whether to seize a shipment of fentanyl immediately or allow it to pass temporarily under surveillance?
- What internal DOJ or DEA documentation determines, or may supersede, official fentanyl interdiction and operational protocols both as a matter of agency-wide policy and also with regards to individual drug-trafficking investigations? How are these changes to operational protocols communicated to agents in the field? Please provide all such documentation since January 2017.
- Under what circumstances are DEA agents permitted to exercise discretion, abandoning any presumption of interdiction, allowing a fentanyl transaction to proceed without immediate seizure? What safeguards are in place to protect communities when fentanyl shipments are allowed to continue as part of an ongoing investigation?
- Must agents possess a guaranteed, continuous ability to seize the substance immediately if the operational environment changes? How is the likelihood of losing operational surveillance, and the potential number of lives impacted if the substance enters the illicit supply chain, measured against the benefits of a successful investigation?
- What circumstances mandate when fentanyl must be safely interdicted, or swapped for a controlled delivery with a substituted substance, before it is allowed to advance within the supply chain? What levels of approval within your command structure are required to bypass immediate interdiction?
- What other tactics such as controlled deliveries, enhanced surveillance, contraband substitution are available to your agency to facilitate long-term, high-level investigations without an unacceptable risk to public safety? What resources can we provide to make these tactics of more common use to your agency?
- What is the reassignment status of DEA personnel based in New Mexico to out-of-state enforcement efforts since January 2025? During the same period, have DEA agents in New Mexico maintained their primary focus on drug-trafficking investigations or have any participated in joint immigration enforcement operations not limited to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations?
For more information on the N.M. Delegation’s work to tackle the opioid crisis, click here.
The full text of the letter is here and below:
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