Podcast Summary

Podcast: Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode: Missing 9-Year-Old Seen in Wig Before Vanishing | The Melodee Buzzard Case
Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the disturbing disappearance of nine-year-old Melody Buzzard from Lompoc, California. Host Ashleigh Banfield investigates the mysterious circumstances, highlighting the lack of cooperation from Melody’s mother, Ashley Buzzard, as well as lapses in child protective oversight and the increasing desperation of Melody’s extended family. Banfield delivers her characteristic no-nonsense, irreverent-yet-deeply-caring style to unravel key details, share exclusive interviews, and issue a call to action for the wider public.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Timeline of Disappearance

• Melody’s Last Sighting:
  • Last seen on October 7th at a local car rental office in Lompoc, CA, appearing to wear a wig (possibly to conceal her identity).
  • Seen leaving with her mother, Ashley, for a road trip to Nebraska and back, a three-day round trip.
• Return Without Melody:
  • Ashley returns to Santa Barbara County alone on October 10th.
  • Melody not reported missing by Ashley or family—only noticed due to school absenteeism.
• Lack of Family & Public Witnesses:
  • No recent photographs of Melody aside from car rental surveillance footage.
  • Extended maternal family hasn't seen Melody in years.

2. Family Dynamics & Ashley Buzzard’s Behavior

• Isolation and Secretiveness:
  • Ashley has a record of mental health struggles since Melody's father died in a crash (2016).
  • Extended family and neighbors report Ashley’s paranoia, isolation, and refusal to communicate—with police, family, or social workers.
• Report from Grandma Lori Miranda:
  • Noted past child neglect, unsafe living conditions, and Ashley allegedly feeding Melody rotten food (06:30).
• Reluctance to Cooperate:
  • Ashley repeatedly ignores police, family, and social services’ attempts to check on Melody’s welfare.
  • Neighbors observed Ashley denying entry to CPS even after being served notice (07:30).

3. Law Enforcement & Child Protective Services (CPS) Response

• Investigation Escalates:
  • FBI joins the search as Ashley may have transported Melody across state lines.
• Apparent Failures in Oversight:
  • Family members and Banfield herself question lapses in CPS monitoring and delayed response ("Where has CPS been in all of this?" - 18:21).
• BOLO (Be On The Lookout):
  • Authorities issue search bulletins for both Ashley and Melody (11:58).

4. Notable Exclusive Interviews

• Jennifer Coffindaffer, Retired FBI Agent:

  • Offers insight into police/FBI process and significance of Ashley's cross-country travel — emphasizes concern for Melody's safety but says it's still classified as a missing child case, not yet murder (15:59).
  • Urges the importance of tracking breadcrumbs like route data, gas, and food stops (16:10).
  • Raises possibility, reported by Melody's half-sister, that Melody could have been “sold," though says facts are not yet known (15:39).

    "These circumstances don't look promising, but I think it could be possible she has left her somewhere... I also saw a recent interview... her half sister said she's worried Melody could have actually been sold." — Jennifer Coffindaffer [15:07]

• Lizabeth Meza, Melody’s Aunt:

  • Confirms years of no contact, describes gradual isolation after Melody’s father’s death, and Ashley’s declining mental health (17:29).
  • Expresses frustration over CPS response and shares experience of being stonewalled by investigators (18:53–19:40).

    "We were told years ago Melody had been adopted out. We had no idea if it was true." — Lizabeth Meza [08:08]
    "My mother-in-law had presents for her...She did come over...But you could tell Ashley was unwell...She took Melody and that was the last time we saw her." — Lizabeth Meza [17:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parental Failure to Report:

  "The one person who should be doing everything in her power to help find this little girl is refusing to say a word." — Ashleigh Banfield [02:55]

• On Ashley’s Isolation:

  "She cut everyone off. We were told years ago Melody had been adopted out. We had no idea if it was true." — Lizabeth Meza [08:08]

• On Law Enforcement’s Dilemma:

  "It's crazy to think that they've been to the mother's house and the mother won't cooperate. I feel like they have an ex circumstance where they could break down the door..." — Host (Ashleigh Banfield) [14:39]

• On Institutional Accountability:

  "Where has CPS been in all of this? ...I want to say it's a massive failure." — Ashleigh Banfield [18:21]

• On Ongoing Concern & Community Appeal:

  "Melody deserves answers and Melody deserves justice. And somebody out there knows the truth. And until we know where Melody Buzzard is, this case will not rest." — Ashleigh Banfield [23:12]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Case Introduction: [02:55]
• Timeline Recap & Family Background: [03:00 – 07:30]
• Details of Disappearance & Family Isolation: [07:30 – 09:30]
• CPS and Law Enforcement’s Efforts: [11:58]
• Interview with FBI Ret. Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer: [14:39 – 16:34]
• Interview with Aunt Lizabeth Meza: [16:39 – 22:29]
• Closing Call to Action & Final Reflections: [23:12]

Final Thoughts

Ashleigh Banfield brings her decades of true crime expertise to bear on a chilling and ongoing case, balancing empathy for Melody with sharp critiques of systemic failures. The episode shines light on the gaps that allow children like Melody to vanish and calls the audience to heightened vigilance and advocacy. Listeners are encouraged to share Melody’s story and report any information to local authorities.

Tipline

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office: 805-681-4100
Tips can be left anonymously at sbsheriff.org

"The truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead serious." — Ashleigh Banfield [23:45]