Mother Pleads Not Guilty in Utah Shooting Death of 9-Year-Old Daughter

Santa Barbara, Calif. — Ashlee Buzzard entered a not-guilty plea on Friday to a charge of murder with special allegations in connection with the death of her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, who was found shot in the head in rural Utah earlier this month.

The arraignment took place in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Court records show prosecutors have filed two special allegations: that Buzzard personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing death, and that the killing was carried out by means of lying in wait. Both factors expose the defendant to a potential sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if she is convicted.

District Attorney John Savrnoch confirmed he will not seek the death penalty. In a statement released by his office, Savrnoch said the prosecution will pursue a term of life without parole, noting that the decision aligns with current office policy.

Timeline of the Case

Melodee Buzzard was last seen alive on Oct. 9 near the Colorado-Utah border during what authorities described as a road trip with her mother. More than two months later, on Dec. 3, her body was discovered in a sparsely populated area of southeastern Utah. According to the autopsy report, the child died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI began searching for Melodee after she was reported missing in mid-October. Surveillance footage dated Oct. 7 shows Ashlee Buzzard in Santa Barbara County wearing what detectives believe to be a wig. Detectives allege the image supports a theory that the suspect attempted to conceal her identity while moving across state lines.

A joint task force executed a search warrant at Buzzard’s Santa Barbara residence shortly after the body was located. Forensic specialists recovered a spent shell casing inside the home. Ballistics testing later matched that casing to a casing found at the Utah crime scene, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators also reported locating live rounds of the same caliber in Buzzard’s vehicle.

Upon completion of the forensic analysis, deputies obtained an arrest warrant. Buzzard was taken into custody on Dec. 23 without incident at a relative’s house in Goleta, California. She was booked into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail and remains held without bail.

Statements from Law Enforcement

Sheriff Bill Brown described the killing as a calculated act and said detectives believe it was carried out shortly after Melodee was last seen in October. During a news conference, Brown stated that “criminally sophisticated premeditation” preceded the shooting. He did not offer details regarding a possible motive, and investigators have publicly said that no definitive motive has yet been established.

Imagem: Internet

The sheriff emphasized the multi-state nature of the investigation, crediting close coordination with Utah authorities and the FBI. The federal agency maintains an overview of missing children cases, and related resources are available on its official website.

Legal Proceedings Ahead

Buzzard is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 30 for a pretrial hearing. At that session, counsel is expected to address discovery deadlines and a possible date for a preliminary examination of evidence. Public defender records show she has requested court-appointed representation.

If the case proceeds to trial, prosecutors will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Buzzard both planned and directly carried out the killing. The special allegation of lying in wait requires evidence that the defendant concealed her purpose or positioned herself to strike without warning. The firearm allegation, if upheld, mandates a sentence enhancement under California law.

The court has issued a protective order restricting parental contact with surviving family members. Melodee’s next of kin have been notified of all upcoming hearings, the district attorney’s office said.

No additional arrests are anticipated, and authorities have indicated that all known physical evidence has been processed. Detectives have encouraged anyone who observed Buzzard or her vehicle, a silver SUV, in the vicinity of the Utah-Colorado border between Oct. 8 and Oct. 10 to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s tip line.

Crédito da imagem: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office