Courtroom gasps as ASHLEE BUZZARD pleads not guilty to murder of 9-year-old MELODEE

Sunday, December 28, 2025 -In a dramatic and emotional arraignment Friday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, 40‑year‑old Ashlee Buzzard formally pleaded not guilty to the murder charge in the death of her 9‑year‑old daughter, Melodee Buzzard. 

The plea came as gasps, cries, and audible reactions echoed through the courtroom as she entered her denial of the first‑degree murder accusation, which also includes a “lying in wait” allegation and related firearm charges. 

Prosecutors allege Buzzard intentionally discharged a firearm causing her daughter’s death and that the killing was premeditated and deliberate. She remains in custody without bail, and her next court date — a preliminary hearing — is set for early January.

The case has shocked communities across multiple states after Melodee was reported missing in October during a cross‑country trip with her mother. Authorities later discovered the child’s remains on December 6 in a remote area of Utah, and forensic evidence linked Buzzard to the scene, including matched ballistics and DNA tests. 

Law enforcement officials have described the investigation as involving deliberate efforts to avoid detection during the road trip, which spanned several states. While the motive has not been confirmed publicly, prosecutors are pursuing life in prison if Buzzard is convicted, and authorities have declined to seek the death penalty in this case.

Buzzard’s plea has sparked significant public reaction and renewed attention on the tragic circumstances surrounding the young girl’s disappearance and death. Family members and courtroom observers were visibly affected by the proceedings, underscoring the emotional weight of the charges. 

As the legal process unfolds, investigators continue to piece together the timeline and evidence, even as community members and the broader public follow every development closely.