About 25 people gathered with candles on Mars Avenue Friday evening, outside the small home where detectives first knocked in search of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard nearly two weeks ago.

The vigil drew relatives from the child’s late father’s side of the family, nearby residents, friends, and television crews who lined the otherwise still Vandenberg Village street.

Attendees were led in prayer with bowed heads, candles in hands, passing the flame from one small white candle to the next as praise music played softly from a portable speaker. A dozen handmade posters — demanding Melodee’s whereabouts — lined the front lawn of the house where her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, still resides.

Among those present were Marvin Meza, brother of Melodee’s late father Rolando Rubiell Meza; his wife and chi

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