Aniah Blanchard Disappearance: Texas Group Calls Off Search

AUBURN, AL — A Texas search team has called off its search for missing 19-year-old Homewood resident Aniah Blanchard. EquuSearch said it has "used every resource available" in its search for the teen, who has been missing since Oct. 23.

The search and rescue group looked in areas along Interstate 85, the Tuskegee National Forest and area waterways, The Opelika-Auburn News reported.

The primary suspect in the disappearance of Blanchard was been captured by U.S. Marshals in Florida. Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, was taken into custody at 10:45 p.m. Thursday off the I-10 Pine Forest Road exit in Escambia County.

Yazeed was identified last week as the suspect in Blanchard's disappearance and law enforcement was tipped off to his whereabouts. He is already awaiting trial in an unrelated kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder in Montgomery. He has a long criminal history, dating back almost 10 years. 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.

Friday, Judge Russell Bush issued a gag order ahead of Yazeed’s first court appearance in Lee County Sunday. The gag order states the parties and “any potential witnesses” are restricted from speaking to members of the media or making social media posts.

A witness reportedly saw Yazeed forcing Blanchard into her car outside a convenience store in Auburn. Blood found in Blanchard's car indicated that Blanchard was harmed, and Yazeed has been charged with kidnapping.

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.