Ashlee Buzzard, a California mother accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, appeared for a brief hearing Thursday, at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
According to Cal Coast News, Judge Stephen Dunkle placed a permanent gag order on the case, which prevents law enforcement and the prosecution from discussing additional case details. However, Dunkle approved the defense’s motion to unseal affidavits and search warrants, both past and future.
The prosecution said it had no position on the requests.
As CrimeOnline reported, a man and woman who had been taking pictures found Melodee’s remains in Wayne County, Utah, near East State Route 24, on December 6. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office then notified the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said it appeared as if Melodee had been deceased for months, and had likely been killed on October 9.
Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown said during a December press conference that Melodee had “gunshot wounds to the head.”
Investigators found an expended cartridge case inside Buzzard’s home during an October 30 search. They also found “a live round of similar ammunition” inside a vehicle she had rented.
Police arrested the defendant at her Vandenberg Village home on December 23.
She’s faces charges that include:
- First-degree murder
- Discharge of a firearm causing death
- Special circumstance of murder by lying in wait
Ashlee Buzzard, who remains behind bars without bail, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo via Santa Barbara County police]