Melodee Buzzard: Switched Plates, More Camera Surveillance Arrives

The case of missing child Melody Buzzard recently got some updates that seem to point to some sort of crime. The latest updates include more surveillance camera photos and details about the mother, Ashlee, allegedly switching plates on the rental car. Read on for more details.

New Information 

New information arrived via Ashleigh Banfield from News Nation on Monday night. Followers of the case already heard that Ashlee took a mysterious road trip and it was believed that Melody was spotted in Nebraska wearing a wig. Well, new footage released revealed a snap of Ashlee with her daughter. The first one only showed the child. 

Using a rented car, the last sighting of Melody came on October 7 and shows both the mother and child. Well, new police information came that suggested the child and her mother were seen two days after that on October 9.

Last Sighting and Shifting Plates

Police have since confirmed that Melody was last seen alive on October 9th, two days after first reported rental sighting. Banfield explained that surveillance video placed the child near the Colorado-Utah border before Ashlee apparently continued alone.

It seems that the mother’s journey back included stops on or about October 9th and 10th in “Green River, Utah; Panguitch, Utah; Saint George, Utah; a small corner of Northwest Arizona; Primm, Nevada; and Rancho Cucamonga, California.”

Suspicious Plate Switching

As per original reports, Ashlee Buzzard arrived home in California alone on October 10 after her wandering journey. But there is more news. Apparently, there were some suspicious changes done to the rental car. Authorities claim that Ashlee switched the license plates while on the road. The “rented white 2024 Chevy Malibu was seen on October 8th displaying a New York license plate.” Notably, it wasn’t Ashlee’s and it didn’t belong to the car rental company.

Nevertheless, when the car was returned, the original California plate had been put back in place. Ashleigh Banfield said a bit sarcastically, “Nothing suspicious about that. Am I right?” Well, to discuss the updates further, Jennifer Coffindaffer, a former FBI agent, joined in the discussion. She’d already previously talked about a big search that was carried out in the home where Melodee Buzzard used to live.

Huge New Information 

In Jennifer’s opinion, the new information is so “important” because it gives the FBI a “whole new day where now we know she was alive.” Calling it “huge information,” doesn’t mean there are no concerns. After all, “they have all those other destinations in cities that were far west of there. Yet no camera footage of [Melodee].”

The situation means that the investigators and agents now need to follow up each and every location. And that includes checking out each time a “credit card” or fuel stop was made. Called “gumshoe” work, Jennifer assured Ashleigh that “boots on the ground” will happen.

Why it took time to find out the new timelines could be because agents “have to sit there meticulously. Watch it. And that’s how they’re getting the footage like the one referred to. So maybe this is a little fresher we think.” So, probably, the FBI will treat it as a priority lead as opposed to routine\.

The interview closed with Banfield expressing a lot of concern that it certainly seems as if Ashlee acted in a suspicious manner. So, she wanted to know why Melodee Buzzard’s mom hadn’t yet been arrested. However, in this case, they need evidence to charge her. But she can go before a judge and try and explain her actions. For now, it’s not clear which way things will go.

Reactions In The Comments

Viewers took to the comments section to have their say. One of them wondered, “Could she have sold her daughter as a child bride? This is awful. Can’t believe I’m even typing this question. Humans can be vile and disgusting.”

Here are a few more responses from the discussion area:

• I believe not having a child anymore is a financial relief these days.
• I want to know if she’s made any unusually large deposits to the bank and/or appears to be spending an unusually large amount of money.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all your news updates.