Aniah Blanchard has been confirmed dead after human remains found days ago were identified, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.
Auburn, Alabama police chief Paul Register has said that police are currently waiting on a cause of death and that the case will soon proceed as a homicide investigation.
Three suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the 19-year-old’s disappearance: Ibraheem Yazeed and Antwon Fisher have been charged with kidnapping, while David Johnson Jr. was arrested a couple of days ago and charged with hindering prosecution.
Yazeed has been out on bond on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, and possession of marijuana, all of which stem from an incident involving the January beating of two men in a hotel. Fisher’s charges from the Blanchard case accuse him of “disposing of evidence” and “providing transport” for Yazeed.
Blanchard, the step-daughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, disappeared in late October after last being seen at a convenience store. Harris’ fame as a UFC fighter helped the case gain widespread attention, and multiple high-profile MMA figures contributed to Blanchard’s reward fund, which amounted to over $100,000.
