Ashlee Buzzard Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of Daughter Melodee

Arraignment and Plea

• 📌 Ashlee Buzzard entered a not guilty plea to murder charges in the death of her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee.
• 😮 An audible gasp was heard in the courtroom from the paternal grandmother and Melodee's half-sister upon the plea.
• ⚖️ Buzzard waived her right to a speedy preliminary hearing, with the next court date set for January 7th, 2026.
• 🔒 She will remain in custody with no bail.

Charges and Evidence

• 🔪 The charges include first-degree murder and discharge of a firearm causing death.
• ⚠️ A special circumstance of lying in wait has also been charged.
• 🔎 Evidence collected includes cartridge cases found in Utah near where Melodee's body was discovered.
• 🚗 These cartridge cases match a live round found in the rental car Ashlee Buzzard used for a road trip with Melodee.
• 📅 Authorities believe Melodee was shot and killed on or around October 9th.

Investigation and Gag Order

• ❓ Melodee Buzzard was reported missing in October after a road trip with her mother and was discovered deceased in Utah in December.
• 🤐 A gag order has been imposed, preventing the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office from releasing further information.
• 🏠 Video from inside Ashlee Buzzard's home showed a disheveled state after her arrest.
• 🚫 Charges of false imprisonment against Ashlee Buzzard, previously accused by Tyler Brewer, were dropped.