Local News
Will Rothschild dies after house fire in the Hollywood Hills
Los Angeles, CA — A man identified by neighbors as Will Rothschild, reportedly a member of the prominent and wealthy Rothschild family, has died following a fire that engulfed a two-story hillside home in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday afternoon.
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) crews were dispatched to the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue around 4:40 p.m. After battling the flames for approximately 33 minutes, the team of 45 firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze.
Inside the residence, firefighters discovered the body of a man. While authorities have not officially confirmed the victim’s identity, neighbors identified him as Will Rothschild, an eccentric millionaire—or potentially billionaire—associated with the globally influential Rothschild banking dynasty.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death. Investigators are working to identify the source of the fire, which remains undetermined. No other injuries were reported in the incident.
On a street known for its multi-million-dollar homes and celebrity residents, Rothschild was described as a reclusive figure. Neighbors recalled seeing an array of luxury vehicles at the property but noted that Rothschild himself was rarely visible.
“He was enigmatic—a man of immense wealth who lived an almost hermit-like existence,” one neighbor shared. “Despite his reclusive nature, those who knew him were deeply saddened by the loss.”
Some locals admitted they had never seen anyone at the house and assumed it was unoccupied. Others remembered Rothschild for his eccentricity and the air of mystery that surrounded his life.
The tragedy has shaken the upscale Lookout Mountain Avenue neighborhood, where residents are accustomed to a quiet, exclusive lifestyle. Though Rothschild may not have been a well-known social figure locally, his passing has prompted reflection on his unique presence in the community.
As the investigation continues, fire officials and detectives are working to uncover the cause of the blaze. Meanwhile, friends, family, and neighbors remember Will Rothschild as a complex figure whose life and death leave behind questions as enigmatic as the man himself.
Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
LOMPOC, CALIFORNIA — What began as routine concern over a student’s absence has evolved into a desperate, multi-agency search for a missing 9-year-old girl whose disappearance has left an entire community shaken.
Authorities say Melodee Buzzard, a fourth-grade student from Lompoc, stopped attending school several weeks ago. When repeated attempts to reach her family failed, school administrators alerted law enforcement—unaware they were about to uncover a deeply troubling mystery.
When Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives, working alongside agents from the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, arrived at the family’s home on Mars Avenue, they expected to find Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, safe inside.
Instead, investigators found the residence vacant.
There was no trace of Melodee, her mother, or any indication of where they might have gone.
According to investigators, Melodee was last seen with her mother on October 7, 2025, traveling in a white Chevrolet Malibu with California license plate 9MNG101.
The vehicle, which was later discovered to be a rental, has since been returned—leaving detectives with few physical leads.
Authorities now believe the pair may have traveled outside California, possibly to Nebraska or another state.
Officials have classified Melodee as “at-risk”, given her young age and the concerning circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help locate her.
Friends and teachers describe Melodee as a kind-hearted and artistic child who loved drawing and reading stories.
Her sudden disappearance has devastated her classmates and the Lompoc community, many of whom have joined efforts to spread awareness on social media.
In a heartbreaking plea, Melodee’s grandmother, Lori Miranda, spoke publicly about her fears and shared insight into the family’s troubled history:
Miranda said she has not seen her granddaughter in over two years, explaining that Ashlee severed contact with much of the family.
She described Ashlee as having suffered a “drastic decline” in mental health following the death of Melodee’s father in a 2016 car crash, when Melodee was still an infant.
Miranda recalled an earlier incident from years ago when authorities intervened after discovering the family home in severe disarray. Melodee, then a baby, was temporarily placed in protective services.
“Ashlee should be in a hospital receiving treatment right now,” Miranda said, expressing grave concern for her daughter’s mental well-being.
She also issued an emotional plea to both Ashlee and Melodee: “Please, just let us know you’re safe. Melodee, if you can hear this, your family loves you—we just want you home.”
Meanwhile, investigators continue to search for leads, emphasizing that time is critical.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Melodee or Ashlee Buzzard is urged to contact:
🔹 Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division: (805) 681-4150
🔹 Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171
🔹 FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov
Authorities stress that even the smallest detail could help bring Melodee home.
“Someone, somewhere, knows something,” one investigator said. “Please, help us find Melodee before it’s too late.”