A California courtroom was left stunned on Friday as Ashlee Buzzard, the mother accused of murdering her nine-year-old daughter, entered a plea of not guilty. The 40-year-old's declaration during her arraignment prompted audible gasps and emotional outbursts from the packed public gallery.
A Shocking Plea in a Tragic Case
Ashlee Buzzard appeared in a Santa Barbara court just days after her sensational arrest for the murder of her daughter, Melodee. The case had captivated the United States for months following the child's disappearance. Videos from the hearing captured the moment officials asked the gallery to quieten down as reactions erupted. One attendee was heard muttering, 'Oh my god,' as Buzzard's public defender spoke.
Following the not-guilty plea, Buzzard agreed to waive her right to a speedy preliminary hearing. She also denied a special allegation charge of lying in wait. The accused mother appeared in court with her natural blonde curly hair, wearing a blouse and no makeup, a contrast to earlier sightings near her home where she was frequently seen wearing wigs.
The Grim Discovery and Evidence
The court appearance marks a pivotal moment in the search for justice for Melodee. Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced that the child's remains were located in a rural area of Utah on December 8. The coroner determined she died from gunshot wounds to the head.
Crucially, cartridge cases recovered at the Utah site matched those found in Ashlee Buzzard's home. This forensic link was key to her arrest on Tuesday. Sheriff Brown described the case as 'extraordinarily tragic,' involving the murder of a child by the person she trusted most.
'While maternal filicide is rare and difficult to comprehend, the evidence in this case clearly indicates a calculated, deliberate, and ruthless act,' Brown stated.
A Family's Anguish and a Mysterious Motive
Outside the courthouse, Melodee's paternal family expressed their fury and grief. Her uncle, Marvin Meza, called Buzzard's actions 'despicable.' Grandmother Lily Denes, struggling to understand, asked: 'You’re a mother, I’m a mother, I’m a grandmother — how can you do that to a baby?'
Melodee was first reported missing on October 14 by a school administrator concerned about her prolonged absence from a homeschooling programme. Investigators later traced Ashlee and Melodee on a multi-state road trip through Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. The pair were last seen on surveillance video on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border, both wearing wigs.
Authorities believe Melodee was killed shortly after this sighting. They allege Ashlee took steps to avoid detection, including switching license plates and backing into petrol stations to evade cameras. Sheriff Brown labelled the planning as 'calculated, cold-blooded and criminally sophisticated.'
Despite the evidence, a motive remains unclear. Family members have previously suggested Ashlee, who lost custody of Melodee at one point and had significant debt, isolated the child after the death of her father, Rubiell Meza, in a motorcycle accident.
Prosecutors have stated they will not seek the death penalty but will pursue life in prison without parole if Buzzard is convicted. She is being held without bail and her next preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 7.
