Horrifying details emerge in death of Melodee Buzzard, 9, after couple taking photos in desert stumble upon her remains

CHILLING details continue to emerge over the death of a nine-year-old girl whose body was found in the desert – more than 750 miles from her home.

Melodee Buzzard, nine, mysteriously vanished in October after going on a road trip with her mom Ashlee, 40. 

Pictures showed the pair on surveillance footage at a car rental shop in Lompoc, California, on October 7 before making their way across the US. 

Ashlee then returned home but without Melodee, sparking mystery and an urgent search was launched just a week later. 

But, in a tragic turn, Melodee’s body was found by a couple taking photos in the Utah desert. 

Cops revealed that Melodee had gunshot wounds to the head, and Ashlee has been accused of carrying out the murder. 

Ashlee’s home was searched and cops found rounds of ammunition and cartridge cases. 

The search for the weapon continues. 

Cops have described the case as “extraordinarily tragic.”

“This is an extraordinarily tragic case involving the murder of a child by the very person she relied upon and trusted the most,” Bill Brown, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff, said.

“While maternal filicide is rare and difficult to comprehend, the evidence in this case clearly indicates a calculated, deliberate and ruthless act.

“This level of criminal activity is particularly shocking given the calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated premeditation and heartlessness that went into planning.”

Melodee was last seen on October 9 near the Utah-Colorado border and cops believe she was killed after the stop.

The car had traveled through areas such as Rancho Cucamonga, California, Primm, Nevada, Northwest Arizona, and Panguitch and Green River, Utah.

Melodee’s body was found near Caineville, near the Capitol Reef National Park, around 750 miles from Lompoc.

Ashlee arrived back in Lompoc the following day. 

Cops started investigating the case on October 14 after a school worker noticed Melodee had been absent for a period of time. 

She had been enrolled in a school since August, but failed to turn up.

Ashlee was quizzed by cops but couldn’t provide any explanation behind her daughter’s absence. 

Then, more details about the mother and daughter’s road trip started to emerge. 

Ashlee rented a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, but cops revealed she and her daughter wore wigs at the shop in a bid to hide their identities.

And, the planned road trip stretched from California to Nebraska. 

But, the return leg would involve travelling through Kansas. 

Ashlee also allegedly changed the car’s license plates during the trip and she reversed into gas stations. 

This was an attempt to avoid being caught on surveillance cameras, according to cops. 

When Ashlee hired the car, it had a California license plate on it.

But, just a day later, there was a New York license plate attached to it.

Ashlee then re-added the California plate just before returning the vehicle.

Cops and FBI agents searched Ashlee’s home again in late October. 

Inside, they found a spent cartridge case, and ammunition was found in her rental car. 

Melodee’s body was decomposing when the travelers spotted it. 

Tests were carried out on the body, which revealed a match to Ashlee.

Ashlee has since been arrested on first-degree murder charges.