Aniah Blanchard Disappearance: Person Of Interest Identified

AUBURN, AL — The Auburn Police Division has identified the person of interest in the disappearance of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard. Police say the man is Ibraheem Yazeed, 30, from Montgomery.

A warrant has been obtained for his arrest for the charge of kidnapping in the first degree. Currently, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Taskforce along with other agencies assisting in the investigation are actively searching for Yazeed.

A statement by Auburn PD said Yazeed is currently out on bond for the charges of kidnapping and attempted murder from another jurisdiction. The statement said he should be considered dangerous and potentially armed.

The charge stems from the investigation of the disappearance of Aniah Haley Blanchard, who was last seen by friends Wednesday, Oct. 23. Further investigation and analysis of evidence has determined that Yazeed was at the same location Blanchard was last seen and is involved in taking Aniah against her will.

Yazeed has been charged in the past with attempted murder, robbery, possession of a controlled substance, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of marijuana, attempting to elude law enforcement, drug trafficking and other charges, dating back to 2012.

Blanchard's father and stepmother — Birmingham attorney Yashiba Blanchard — as well as her mother, Angela Harris, and stepfather, UFC Heavyweight fighter Walt Harris, have been persistent in keeping their daughter's disappearance in the minds of people all over the state in hopes of eventually finding her alive.

The reward in Blanchard's case has reached more than $100,000. UFC President Dana White, UFC fighter Jon Jones, Dominance MMA CEO Ali Abdelaziz, and an anonymous Homewood family each contributed $25,000 toward the reward money while Gov. Kay Ivey's office pledged $5,000.

Additional charges and/or arrests are anticipated, according to the Auburn PD. Anyone with information regarding Yazeed's whereabouts or having information on this case is asked to call the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP, or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.