California Mother’s Felony Charges Dismissed Amid Search for Missing Daughter
A mother from California, previously accused of using a box cutter to falsely imprison a man, had her felony charges dropped on Thursday. This development comes as authorities continue to look for her missing 9-year-old daughter, Melody Buzzard.
Ashley Buzzard was in Santa Barbara County court dealing with a felony charge of false imprisonment related to an incident on November 6. Prosecutors called Tyler Stuart Brewer to testify, alleging he was confined in his home during a heated argument.
The felony complaint, filed on November 10, stated that Buzzard unlawfully violated Brewer’s “personal liberty” through various means, including intimidation and deception. The seriousness of these claims was highlighted by prosecutors, who noted that the actions were done with apparent “planning and sophistication.”
Testimony from Tyler Stuart Brewer
Brewer, who works as a legal document assistant and paralegal, said he met Buzzard through a mutual friend years ago and again this fall after Melody went missing. He reported visiting Buzzard’s home five times from November 1 to 6, where they exchanged numerous text messages.
During his testimony, Brewer recounted that on November 6, after entering Buzzard’s home, she locked multiple deadbolts and appeared “agitated.” He claimed that when he expressed discomfort and tried to leave, she blocked the door and re-locked it.
Prosecutors played a six-minute segment from a recording Buzzard made of their conversation, in which she accused Brewer of trying to gain media attention. Brewer described her demeanor as “threatening” and noted he felt uncomfortable throughout their encounter.
After hearing Brewer’s testimony, detectives from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office took the stand. Ultimately, the court dismissed the felony charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence, ending Buzzard’s pretrial supervision and allowing her to remove her ankle monitor.
Concerns from Melody’s Grandmother
Outside the courtroom, Melody’s grandmother, Lisa Deans, was set to speak with reporters. Deans, who has been vocal regarding her granddaughter’s case, previously indicated a troubling pattern of control exhibited by Buzzard in the months leading up to Melody’s disappearance.
She stated that Buzzard “schemed to cut her off from the rest of the world,” limiting contact with family and isolating her daughter. Deans expressed concerns that Buzzard was evading those who could protect Melody.
The Search for Melody Buzzard
Authorities began looking into Melody’s whereabouts on October 14 after school officials reported she had been absent for an extended period. When questioned, Buzzard reportedly failed to provide clear information about her daughter’s location and was described as “uncooperative.”
Melody was last seen during a road trip with her mother in early October. Surveillance footage showed them at a rental car facility in Lompoc, California, on October 7, where both were wearing wigs. Officials believe this was an attempt to disguise themselves during the trip, which involved swapping license plates.
More recently, investigators have focused on the area near the Utah-Colorado border, where Melody was last spotted. The FBI is now collaborating with local authorities to retrace their route and gather clues related to her disappearance. A private investigator has suggested that new information points to Melody possibly returning to Ventura County, California, although no confirmed sightings have emerged.
This whole situation, while complex, remains unfolding as officials continue the search. Anyone with information about Melody’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office or the FBI tip line.
