Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Bizarre Disappearance of Girl Melodee, 9, Not Seen in a Year – Just Reported Missing

Date: October 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Nancy Grace investigates the baffling disappearance of 9-year-old Melody Buzzard from Santa Barbara County, California. Melody was only reported missing after not being seen in over a year, shining a spotlight on lapses in the system and raising questions about her mother’s behavior, the homeschooling process, and involvement (or lack thereof) from family, neighbors, and authorities. Nancy is joined by Melody’s aunt, law enforcement, legal, and psychology experts, as well as investigative reporters to dissect the family and institutional dynamics that may have contributed to the case’s disturbing timeline.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Melody’s Disappearance and the Family’s Timeline

• Melody, age 9, lived with her mother Ashley and had not been seen for a year before authorities were alerted.
  • [00:39] “Look at this gorgeous little girl...how could she be gone a year and just reported missing?” – Nancy Grace
• The family learned of Melody’s disappearance only when contacted by a Child Welfare Services (CWS) investigator.
  • [02:10] “To hear that she was missing was completely mind-blowing.” – Lizbeth Mesa, Aunt
• Melody was homeschooled, complicating the timeline of her last sighting.

Mother’s Behavior and Access

• Melody’s mother, Ashley, is described as evasive and uncommunicative with relatives and authorities.
  • [03:27] “She stood there, very stoic, with a stone look… [when asked about Melody] she said ‘Why now?’” – Lizbeth Mesa
• The mother refused to provide details about Melody, even to family or to law enforcement seeking welfare checks.

School Red Flags and Official Response

• Melody had been homeschooled for two years via a district-run independent study program, making regular contact with school staff rare.
• The school’s concern escalated when Melody missed multiple optional in-person activities.
  • [08:31] “Melody was enrolled at Buena Vista Elementary… then the independent study program. The last sighting was when she re-enrolled in August.” – Sidney Sumner

Prior Family Involvement & Child Welfare

• Melody’s father died in a motorcycle accident in 2016. The extended family tried, unsuccessfully, to remain involved in Melody’s life.
• There was a history of Melody’s mother having another child removed by the state and placed with that father.
  • [10:58] “Yes, a daughter was taken away and given to the father to be raised.” – Lizbeth Mesa

Concerns Over Mother’s Stability

• Accusations surfaced that Ashley intentionally crashed her car with Melody inside, painting a portrait of instability.
  • [12:02] “She crashed it on purpose.” – Lizbeth Mesa
• Financial and emotional stress was thought to play a role in Ashley's isolation and erratic, paranoid-seeming behavior.
  • [40:38] “Money problems reduce a person’s capacity for critical thinking…she may have become more low-functioning.” – Dr. Bethany Marshall

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:13] “I don't understand how a child cannot be seen for a year and only just now be reported missing.” – Nancy Grace
• [03:27] “She [Ashley] stood there very stoic, with a stone look on her face. My niece asked, ‘where’s Melody?’ And she said, ‘Why now?’” – Lizbeth Mesa
• [11:47] “Here's this little girl, alone with a mom who, according to some sources, intentionally crashed her car with the baby in it. Do you think that crash was intentional?”
  “Oh, absolutely.” – Nancy Grace and Lizbeth Mesa
• [14:13] “Investigators have information that Ashley was with Melody as recently as October 7th…They may have driven as far as Nebraska in a white Chevy Malibu rental.” – Raquel Zick, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s PIO
• [16:15] “Why is the child still there? How many times is it going to happen where the child stays in a home where there is a danger and then the child goes missing?” – Nancy Grace
• [18:01] “Moms foster relationships between their child and other family members…so when this little girl is at grandma’s house…and the mother snatches her and takes her away, this is a mother who either wanted the child all to herself, or didn’t want her to give out information.” – Dr. Bethany Marshall
• [36:31] “The FBI’s been brought in to work on this case. It’s not because this little girl is just hanging out at a friend’s house...There is a big concern for this child's life.” – Alexis Torezchuk

Key Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Segment | Summary | |---------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Opening Summary | Introduction: Melody missing, confusion over timeline | | 01:13 | Aunt Lizbeth Interview | Family learns Melody was missing from CWS investigator | | 03:27 | Aunt Details Attempt to See Ashley | Ashley rebuffs attempts for information, increasing suspicion | | 05:12 | Last Known Contact | Family last saw Melody 4.5 years ago, mother “acting strange” | | 08:31 | School Enrollment Details | Melody’s switch to homeschool; last documented school contact | | 10:22 | Mother’s Social Isolation | Claims Melody stayed with a friend; no real info, more secrecy | | 11:47 | Car Crash Incident | Accusation of Ashley intentionally crashing car with Melody | | 14:13 | Law Enforcement Update | Ashley & Melody seen together Oct 7, 2025; Nebraska trip info | | 16:15 | Panel: Danger Signs and Systemic Failures | Concern over child left in home despite warnings | | 18:01 | Child Isolation as Abuse | Psychologist weighs in on behavioral red flags | | 24:21 | Investigator’s Local Insights | Neighborhood canvass, security footage, mother’s home behaviors | | 30:05 | Last Sighting by Neighbors | Neighbor saw child 30 days prior, extremely limited outside contact | | 31:17 | Legal Expert on Homeschool Oversight | State obligations, lack of proper paperwork, gaps in enforcement | | 36:17 | FBI Involvement | FBI joins investigation over concern for child’s welfare | | 37:22 | Large Suitcase & Boxes Noted | Signs Ashley may be preparing to leave (“trying to leave town”) | | 38:23 | Home Appears Vacant | Discrepancy between appearance and neighbor’s reports | | 40:38 | Analysis: Financial Stress Indicator | Money stress, paranoia, child isolation as signs of abuse | | 42:08 | Advocacy: Next Steps in Missing Persons Case | All possible contacts, neighbors, and friends to be questioned | | 43:26 | Legal Limits: Law Enforcement Constraints | Limits of search warrants, Fifth Amendment issues | | 44:31 | Closing Plea | Appeal for public tips to help find Melody |

Critical Insights

• Systemic Gaps: The case exposes how homeschooling, limited familial contact, and lack of oversight allowed Melody’s disappearance to go unreported.
• Behavioral Red Flags: Ashley’s paranoia, past CPS involvement, isolating behaviors, and refusal to cooperate are strong warning signs.
• Investigation Leads: Rental car records, neighborhood surveillance, and a possible sighting 30 days prior are pivotal in the ongoing search.
• Real-Life Echoes: The episode draws parallels to notorious cases (e.g., Lori Vallow, Turpin family)—all with parents who stonewall and isolate.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Nancy and her panel end the episode with heartfelt appeals for any public information on Melody, spotlighting the urgency and heartbreak of this case:

[12:25] “Melody, just want to let her know that we love her. She has a lot of family…who love her and we just want her home safe.” – Lizbeth Mesa, Aunt

[44:31] “If you know or think you know anything about the location of this now, we hope, 9-year-old little girl Melody, please dial 805-681-4150.” – Nancy Grace

If you have any information about the disappearance or whereabouts of Melody Buzzard, contact Santa Barbara County Sheriff at 805-681-4150.