New Delhi, Dec. 24 -- Ashlee Buzzard, 40, faces murder charges after the remains of her missing daughter, Melodee Buzzard, were discovered in Utah, authorities said Tuesday. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff-Coroner's Office outlined how gunshot wounds to the head led investigators to suspect foul play.

Sheriff-Coroner Bill Brown said bullet cartridges found near the girl's body were tied to a used cartridge case located in Buzzard's home.

Investigators also found similar ammunition in a car Buzzard had rented, tying the weapon to the case. The weapon itself has not been recovered, according to Brown, and the investigation remains open.

Ashlee Buzzard departed California with Melodee on October 7, driving a rented white 2024 Chevrolet M...