It Gets Worse... Ashlee Buzzard's Added Charges and Arraignment | Melodee Buzzard

Hidden True Crime

News Commentary, Documentary, True Crime, News, Society & Culture

4.6 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 28 December 2025

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Friday’s arraignment revealed just how severe prosecutors believe this case is: Ashlee Buzzard is now formally charged with murdering her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee—along with enhancements alleging “exceptional cruelty,” planning, and the chilling accusation of “lying in wait.” In this episode, we break down what those legal terms actually mean, walk through the updated timeline—from the wig-wearing road trip across multiple states to the discovery of Melodee’s remains in remote Utah—and explain the forensic links that investigators say tied the scene back to the Buzzard home. We also cover what happened inside the courtroom, why prosecutors say they’re seeking life without parole (not the death penalty), the temporary gag order restricting the sheriff’s public comments, and the raw, heartbreaking words from Melodee’s grandmother as the family faces the unthinkable. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	On Friday, December 26th, the day after Christmas, Ashley Buzzard stood in court for her arraignment,
0:07.0	charged with murdering her nine-year-old daughter.
0:11.0	A crime prosecutors alleged was carried out with exceptional cruelty, planning, and something called lying in wait.
0:20.0	Today, we break down what those charges really mean
0:22.5	and why they may be more disturbing than they even sound.
0:26.7	I'm Lauren Matthias, and this is hidden true crime.
0:45.9	As we now know, Ashley Buzzard was arrested this past Tuesday and charged with murder in the death of her nine-year-old daughter, Melody.
0:51.4	The criminal complaint says that the killing was carried out with exceptional cruelty and viciousness.
0:55.9	Given what we've learned, those words feel chillingly accurate.
1:02.6	Investigators have since pieced together a clearer timeline of events. So let's quickly go over that before we get to today's updates. On October 14th, the school administrator reported
1:08.5	Melody's prolonged absence. Deputies conducted a welfare check at the buzzard home and Ashley offered no explanation for where her daughter was.
1:17.0	The following day, October 15th, detectives served a search warrant at the home.
1:22.9	They also discovered that Ashley had recently rented a vehicle.
1:26.8	Surveillance images showed both Ashley and
1:29.2	Melody at the rental office wearing wigs. And by October 24th, detectives released a travel timeline
1:38.2	documenting an extensive road trip. The pair traveled through California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Nebraska,
1:47.0	before Ashley returned along through Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California.
1:53.4	Investigators say Ashley switched license plates and backed into gas stations in an apparent effort
1:59.8	to avoid surveillance cameras.
2:03.1	Melody was last seen on video with her mother on October 9th near the Colorado, Utah border.
2:08.7	Authorities now believe Melody was murdered shortly after.
2:13.3	That's last sighting.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Hidden True Crime, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Hidden True Crime and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.