You will want to know what led a mother to allegedly turn on her own children and how jealousy toward their grandmother fits into that motive. The case centers on claims that the mother’s jealousy of the grandmother played a key role in the deaths, suggesting personal resentment may have driven the alleged violence.
Skimming the facts and court filings will show where investigators found links between motive and action, and this article unpacks those connections clearly. Expect concise summaries of the timeline, the evidence investigators point to, and how the community is responding as the legal process unfolds.
The Tragic Case and Key Details
Two young children died and a third child was seriously injured in an incident that authorities say began in the family home. The accused allegedly targeted her daughters and then attempted to harm herself; she now faces multiple criminal counts.
Overview of the Crimes
Investigators say the defendant strangled two daughters, ages 5 and 3, resulting in their deaths, and seriously injured a seven-month-old who was flown to a hospital with traumatic injuries. Emergency responders found the mother after she had apparently jumped from a second-story window; she survived and was taken into custody. Medical personnel pronounced the older two children dead at the scene.
The incident has been described in media reports as a case of maternal filicide. Law enforcement immediately treated the scene as a homicide investigation and recovered evidence consistent with strangulation. The family had no prior public criminal history that explained the attack.
The Alleged Jealousy Motive
Prosecutors and investigators have explored the motive that the defendant acted out of jealousy toward the children’s grandmother. Police documents and interviews referenced by local reporting indicate the accused believed the grandmother received preferential attention or resources from family members. Investigators say those jealous thoughts escalated into violent action against the children.
Mental-health factors have also been raised; some reports note prior postpartum symptoms and possible psychosis as context for behavior. However, motive allegations remain part of the prosecution theory and may be contested at trial. The accused has not admitted intent and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The defendant was indicted on multiple counts, including first-degree murder and strangulation for each deceased child, and assault in the first degree for the injured infant. Prosecutors asked that she be held without bond given the severity of the allegations and risk concerns. She formally pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance and awaits further hearings in the county superior court.
Defense motions have included requests to change venue and delay trial dates; judges have ruled on some but not all pretrial issues. The case timeline includes arraignment, hearings on evidence and competency if raised, and a scheduled murder trial where the prosecution must prove intent for first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt. For reporting on the legal status and charges, see reporting on the indictment and charges.
Investigation, Evidence, and Community Impact
The case involved multiple agencies and detailed forensic work focused on cause of death, timelines, and family relationships. Law enforcement activity, laboratory results, and local reactions shaped how investigators reconstructed events and how the Santa Barbara County community responded.
Investigation Process and Law Enforcement Efforts
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s investigators led the initial response after authorities found two young girls dead in a Lompoc home. Deputies secured the scene, interviewed family members, and executed search warrants at the residence connected to Kimberlee Singler and relatives including Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard. Investigators compiled phone and location records to establish timelines and movements on the day of the deaths.
Detectives coordinated with the district attorney’s office to evaluate charges and prepared probable-cause affidavits. They also worked with out-of-county agencies when needed for witness interviews and to serve subpoenas. Law enforcement publicly released limited details to protect the integrity of ongoing interviews and evidence collection.
Forensic Evidence and Role of FBI Crime Lab
Medical examiners ruled the cause of death after autopsies determined the presence of gunshot wounds in at least one victim, prompting ballistic and trajectory analysis. Local labs performed toxicology and preliminary testing, while the FBI Crime Lab assisted with advanced DNA analysis and gunshot residue examination to link physical evidence to specific individuals.
Investigators submitted evidence—firearms components, spent casings, and biological samples—to the FBI for high-sensitivity testing. DNA results helped confirm or exclude named persons from contact with key items, and ballistic comparisons sought to match bullets or casings to recovered firearms. Forensic timelines from the lab reports influenced charging decisions and courtroom strategy.
Public Response and Community Reflections
Lompoc and broader Santa Barbara County reacted with shock and grief. Community leaders organized vigils and counseling resources for parents and children at local schools. Residents expressed frustration with the violence and asked questions about family dynamics, including alleged jealousy toward the girls’ grandmother, which fueled local discussions.
Local media coverage followed court appearances and investigative updates closely, prompting calls for transparency from the sheriff’s office. Neighbors and acquaintances of Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee Buzzard described the family as private, while others said warning signs had been missed. Social services and mental-health nonprofits reported increased inquiries as families sought support.
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