Tillett ex-daughter-in-law claims 2016 audio captures state senator's remarks

In Nags Head, a new affidavit has surfaced in a legal dispute involving state Sen. Jerry Tillett. The document, filed by his former daughter-in-law Briana Daniels, details the origin of a 2016 audio recording. Daniels states she captured a 23-second clip during a car ride home from Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe in April 2016. The recording features voices she identifies as Tillett, his wife Tanya, and his son Jeremy.

Daniels filed the affidavit in Dare County Superior Court as part of a defamation lawsuit Tillett filed in February. The suit targets Daniels, her husband Teddy Daniels, Richard Burrus, and the publisher of the National File website. Burrus first posted the audio clip on social media on December 11, 2025. In the recording, a younger male voice is heard saying, "You should have shot his Black ass," while another male voice agrees, "Should have shot that n." Daniels says the conversation referenced an incident where a Black man turned off a bathroom light in Norfolk, Virginia, leaving Tillett in the dark.

Tillett, a former Dare County superior court judge, won re-election on Tuesday in the 1st District. He defeated Democrat Melissa Zehner with 52% of the vote. Local Republicans nominated Tillett in August to complete the term of retiring Sen. Bobby Hanig. Through his attorney, Tillett denied using the slur and argued the audio was manipulated. Neither Tillett nor his attorney responded to comment requests on Thursday.

Daniels told The Assembly she started recording conversations with the Tilletts due to "stressful and, at times, frightening violent interactions" with Jeremy Tillett and Jerry Tillett. She identified a fourth, unidentified male in the car during the 2016 ride but did not mention him in her interview. Daniels alleged in court documents that Jeremy Tillett abused her during their marriage, an allegation he has denied. The couple has since divorced and are involved in separate litigation, including a defamation suit filed by Jeremy Tillett.

Teddy Daniels, who lost the March Republican primary for Dare County sheriff, said he gave the recording to Burrus and the National File. Briana Daniels stated in her affidavit that she never provided the audio to either party. Neither Daniels provided the recording to The Assembly. The elder Tillett's defamation lawsuit remains pending, while stalking and cyberstalking charges filed against Burrus have been dropped.

The legal dispute continues as Daniels seeks to clarify the provenance of the audio. Her current husband declined to comment on the new filing. The recording remains central to the allegations against the state senator.