Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield

“EXPLOSIVE Secret Audio: Ashlee Buzzard’s Own Recording Blows Up Felony Charge | Melodee Buzzard”

Release Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Key Guests: Brian Enten (News Nation), Grandmother Lily (Melody's paternal grandmother), Ashley Buzzard (via recorded audio), Tyler Brewer (via recorded audio)

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Ashleigh Banfield dives into a bombshell development in the Ashley Buzzard case—distinct from the ongoing mystery of her missing daughter, Melody. The highlighted story is the collapse of felony false imprisonment charges against Ashley Buzzard after a secret audio recording emerged. Banfield walks listeners through the jaw-dropping courtroom moments, shares the audio itself, unpacks witness reactions—including Melody’s grandmother—and examines the broader implications for the still-unsolved disappearance of nine-year-old Melody.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Emotional Opening: Farewell to Atlas

• Banfield begins with a heartfelt tribute to her studio companion, Atlas, who recently passed away (00:20).
• Sets a somber, personal tone before switching to the day’s “head scratcher” of a case.

The Curious Case of Ashley Buzzard: Courtroom Drama

Background:

• Focus shifts from the missing child case (Melody Buzzard—missing for 42 days) to a separate legal battle.
• False imprisonment charge: Ashley allegedly trapped paralegal Tyler Brewer and threatened him with a box cutter.
• In court, judge strictly forbids mention of Melody’s disappearance, keeping both cases completely segregated (03:00-04:00).

Ashley's Appearance and Behavior:

• Ashleigh describes Ashley’s courtroom look: “overwhelming amount of makeup,” a new long curly wig, and baggy pants (possibly to conceal her ankle monitor) (04:40).

Testimonies: Contradictory Accounts

Tyler Brewer’s Claims:

• Brewer, the paralegal, recounted visiting Ashley five times between November 1–6.
• Alleged on final visit she became “confrontational and combative,” made him feel threatened, then blocked his exit.

The Secret Audio: Courtroom Bombshell

• Instead of testifying, Ashley’s attorney plays a secretly recorded three-minute audio by Ashley herself (06:55).
• The audio doesn’t match Brewer’s claims or the prosecution’s narrative.

Critical Moments & Quotes

The Secret Recording: Tense, Strategic, and Explosive

Audio Excerpt Timestamps: 08:55–12:00

Ashley Buzzard: “You’re flat out lying. You’re a really good liar, Tyler.” (08:55)
Tyler Brewer: “I can only listen.” (09:16)
Ashley Buzzard: “Look at me like I’m an intelligent woman. I’m 40 years old. Who are you kidding, Tyler?” (09:11)
Ashley Buzzard: “There is absolutely no way in hell that you are not bipolar or have an extreme issue...” (09:43)
Tyler Brewer: “I would like to leave at this—” (10:05)
Ashley Buzzard: “Since you’re leaving in an uncomfortable way, I want the keys to my house and the storage. Nobody else has keys. Is that correct?” (10:11)
Tyler Brewer: “No one else has keys.” (10:23)
Ashley Buzzard: “If you’ve been here genuinely to help, I appreciate it. The lies are a lot.” (10:26)
Ashley Buzzard: “I’m not threatening you at all... but I’m saying, like, I’m not threatening you at all. I’m trying to help as a friend because I feel like it has to be bipolar or something.” (10:50)
Tyler Brewer: “At this moment, I would like to leave. And I’m more than receptive if you want to call or text me.” (11:14)
Ashley Buzzard: “How do I send you the money of the receipts?” (11:22)
Tyler Brewer: “I’m not concerned about any of that... I’ve done nothing intentionally to be deceitful.” (11:24, 11:28)

Banfield’s Reaction:

• “Did you hear what I just heard? She’s accusing him...of being bipolar. I was particularly interested in the end there, where you can hear the footsteps and the jingling of keys and the door unlocking. It’s like he was really locked in there.”
• Banfield questions the judge's rationale, highlighting Tyler’s repeated and calm requests to leave, and speculating if fear could exist beneath a calm demeanor (12:05–13:30).

The Court’s Ruling: Case Dismissed

• Judge finds the audio eliminates “probable cause to believe that Tyler Brewer was terrified or... prevented from leaving”; dismissal follows.
• Banfield’s take: “The judge threw the case out. He said there was no probable cause... To the contrary, we hear him leave” (13:45).

Post-Courtroom Analysis & Interviews

On the Ground: Brian Enten Reports from Lompoc (15:15–20:11)

• Confirms Ashley is back home, “really a free woman, no ankle monitor, no charges” (15:23).
• Shares that Ashley prefers the back of the house, likely due to paranoia about surveillance.
• Discusses the photos presented in court:
  • Four locks on the door allegedly used to detain Tyler Brewer.
  • Photo of box cutter on the ground. Brewer was never able to say “for sure” Ashley brandished it.
• Summarizes: Weak evidence led to dismissal, “I was not surprised that the judge threw out the false imprisonment charge. In fact, I kind of expected it by the end.” (16:23)

Was Tyler Brewer Working with Police?

• The judge barred discussion of Melody’s case, but evidence suggested Brewer was in contact with investigators immediately after leaving the house and that police were surveilling the home during the incident (18:10–19:15).

Community Sentiment and Surveillance

• Neighbors and media remain suspicious and vigilant, especially since the removal of the ankle monitor.
• FBI is still involved, and “there are indications that she is still being watched in some regard.” (19:31)

Grandmother Lily Speaks (21:06)

Grandmother Lily:
“She had beautiful long hair, never wigs. Now she’s wearing a lot of wigs. I don’t know what that came from. Never wear that kind of makeup before... She’s trying to change her personality or... I don’t know.” (21:06–21:47)

• Lily is frustrated and desperate for answers about Melody’s whereabouts.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Banfield, on hearing Ashley’s voice for the first time:
  “I, for one, don’t think that this woman is quite as crazy as we all thought before... It was strategic... It was weird.” (07:20–07:50)
• Brian Enten, on the evidence:
  “He could never say for sure that she actually picked up the box cutter... Many of the things he said were, ‘I felt like she was holding me in the house and wouldn’t let me out. She stood in front of me, but then I was able to get out.’ So... I was not surprised that the judge threw out the false imprisonment charge.” (16:23–17:21)
• Banfield, on the missing child case:
  “The big show is, where is this child, for God’s sake?” (20:11)
• Brian Enten, on community concern:
  “There was a sense of comfort that she had the ankle monitor on... Now that the charge is thrown out and the ankle monitor is gone, there’s definitely some concern.” (19:55)

Timestamps of Major Segments

• 00:20—Personal message from Banfield regarding Atlas
• 03:00–04:00—Separation of Ashley’s legal cases in court
• 04:40—Descriptions of Ashley Buzzard in court
• 06:55—Introduction of secret audio recording
• 08:55–12:00—Playback and discussion of the audio
• 13:45—Judge rules, case dismissed
• 15:15–20:11—Interview/report with Brian Enten
• 21:06–21:47—Interview with Grandmother Lily
• 22:11—Episode wrap-up and reflection

Takeaways & Final Reflections

• The charge of false imprisonment against Ashley Buzzard fell apart dramatically due to her own clandestine recording, revealing a scene very different from the prosecution’s narrative—in tone, control, and evidence.
• The episode raises complex questions about truth, performance, and manipulation, leaving listeners to wonder: Is Ashley as “crazy” as painted, or “crazy like a fox”?
• Above all, the agonizing question of Melody Buzzard’s fate remains unresolved, intensifying the frustration and attention on Ashley—and the wider system’s apparent inability to break her silence.

Ashleigh Banfield’s closing:
“The truth isn’t just the serious. It’s drop dead serious.”

For more updates, Banfield urges listeners to subscribe, promising more “shoes” will drop in this evolving drama.