Drop Dead Serious with Ashleigh Banfield

Episode: Is Melodee Buzzard Still Alive? Ashlee Buzzard’s Arrest Reveals Shocking New Clues

Release Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Main Theme:
This episode delivers breaking developments in the case of missing nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard from Lompoc, California. Ashleigh Banfield dives deep into the recent arrest of Melodee’s mother, Ashley Buzzard, on felony false imprisonment charges, revealing new characters, disturbing parallels in Ashley’s own childhood, and compelling new evidence that suggest hope Melodee may still be alive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Arrest of Ashley Buzzard ([00:30])

• Ashley Buzzard, mother of Melodee, arrested and charged with felony false imprisonment.
  • The arrest is not directly related to Melodee’s disappearance but is linked to a new figure, Tyler S. Brewer.
• Quote:

  "The criminal complaint accuses Ashlee Buzzard, the mom, of quote, 'violating the personal liberty of a man named Tyler S. Brewer.' I know it's a name that hadn't surfaced in this case before... I'm all ears." — Ashleigh Banfield (00:54)

2. Tyler S. Brewer's Role ([01:40], [08:21])

• Tyler Brewer, an acquaintance of Ashley since 2014, was at her house trying to help find Melodee.
• Ashley reportedly shared with Tyler where Melodee was before allegedly snapping and detaining him.
• Tyler’s account: Ashley became paranoid, accused him of collaborating with police, blocked the door, locked him in, then finally let him leave. He promptly contacted authorities.
• Criminal complaint: Accuses Ashley of false imprisonment “by violence, menace, fraud and deceit,” involving “planning, sophistication and professionalism.”
• Quote:

  "She kept shutting her eyes and making fists and she blocked the door preventing him from leaving...She slammed the front door shut and engaged four locks." — Nancy Liu (11:01)

3. Ashley Buzzard's Troubled Childhood ([02:45])

• Ashley herself was a nine-year-old living on the margins with an abusive father, moving frequently with her mother, Lori Miranda.
• 1995 newspaper article: Lori Miranda escaped domestic violence with Ashley, living temporarily homeless and seeking help from shelters and the school system.
• Key Moment:

  “There it is, as big as day. The curly haired nine year old Ashley Buzzard sitting beside her tutor. Yeah, I see it too. A total resemblance between Ashley at nine years old and her now daughter Melody at nine years old.” — Ashleigh Banfield (03:25)

4. The Parallels Between Ashley’s and Melodee’s Lives ([04:50])

• Ashleigh highlights the extraordinary parallels but also crucial differences—Ashley’s mother actively tried to protect her daughter, while Ashley’s actions as a mother now raise difficult questions.

5. Recent Video and Photos—“Two Different People” ([05:30], [07:04], [16:04])

• News Nation obtains exclusive video from 2020: Ashley, Melodee, and grandmother Lori carving pumpkins.
• The Ashley in this family video looks “nothing like” the gaunt, anxious Ashley seen in recent surveillance.
• Visual Discrepancy:

  “It is absolutely unfathomable that the woman on the left side of your screen carving the pumpkin with her daughter is the same woman...walking through a rental office with her daughter. They look like two completely different people.” — Ashleigh Banfield (07:04)

• Drastic change in Ashley’s appearance—significant weight loss and transformation in demeanor over just a few years.

6. New Hopes and Leads for Melodee ([08:21], [11:42])

• Tyler Brewer claims: Ashley told him where Melodee was “dropped off”—possibly in Utah—but he remains unsure if this is true due to Ashley’s unstable mental state.
• Tyler has not shared the specifics with the public but has provided information to police.
• Despite doubts, there remains hope that Melodee is alive and possibly with someone Ashley trusted.
• Neighbors have not seen Melodee for some time, expressing concern and cautious hope.
• Quote:

  “If it is truthful, then Melodee is out there...So what Tyler Brewer is telling News Nation, providing a lot of hope tonight.” — Nancy Liu (11:32)

7. The Scene at Ashley Buzzard’s House ([13:45])

• Police search Ashley’s house; no items removed.
• Neighbors report investigators’ activity; note that Melodee was rarely, if ever, seen around the neighborhood.
• Ongoing community worry and curiosity about Melodee’s fate.

8. Lori Miranda’s Perspective & the Family Divide ([16:04])

• Grandmother Lori hasn’t spoken with Ashley since 2023.
• Lori given the video from 2020—sees Ashley in it as the daughter she remembers, in stark contrast to recent stressed, withdrawn version.
• Ashley’s dramatic weight loss noted by both family and neighbors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ashley’s transformation:

  “When the surveillance pictures came out of Ashley and Melody at the car rental business, Lori, the mother, says that she did not recognize that as her daughter because that's not how she remembers. The Ashley with the pumpkin— that's what she remembers Ashley looking like.” — Nancy Liu (16:04)

• On Melodee’s disappearance:

  “Neighbors have not seen Melodee at anywhere around this house. So they are curious as to what's happened to her. They are keeping hope alive that, you know, Melody's alive and out there and will be found.” — Nancy Liu (14:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:30] – Introduction and breaking news on Ashley Buzzard’s arrest
• [01:40] – Details on Tyler S. Brewer’s connection to the case
• [02:45] – Ashley Buzzard’s troubled childhood, shelter life, and escape
• [05:30] – Exclusive family video described; stark changes in Ashley over five years
• [08:21] – News Nation’s Nancy Liu details the criminal complaint and Tyler Brewer interview
• [11:42] – Possibility and hope Melodee is alive, based on Tyler’s statements
• [13:45] – Police investigation at Ashley’s home; neighbors’ perspectives
• [16:04] – Lori Miranda’s reflections on her daughter Ashley’s recent life and appearance

Conclusion

This episode weaves together new revelations about Ashley Buzzard’s mental state, her connection to Tyler S. Brewer, haunting echoes from her own childhood, and new information that sparks hope for Melodee’s safe return. Through interviews, exclusive material, and on-the-ground reporting, Ashleigh Banfield keeps the focus on unanswered questions and the ongoing search for truth.

Closing thought:

“That's the latest in the Melody Buzzard case. We'll keep following every development as it unfolds... Remember, the truth isn't just serious. It's dropped. Dead serious.” — Ashleigh Banfield (17:21)

This summary covers essential content and significant insights—perfect for listeners seeking a comprehensive update on this deeply troubling and evolving case.