The Aniah Blanchard case took a dramatic turn today when Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes confirmed that human remains found earlier today were likely those of the missing 19-year-old teenager.
“I can confirm that human remains have been found in Macon County and we have good reason to believe they are that of Aniah Blanchard,” Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said.
A statement from Auburn police provided more details on the grisly find.
“On November 25, 2019, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Auburn Police, along with members of the Task Force, Lee County DA’s Office, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, ALEA and Montgomery County Sheriff Office, responded to a wooded area in the 38,000 block of County Road 2 in Shorter, Alabama,” the statement read.
“After a brief search by Investigators they located what appeared to be human remains several feet into the woodline,” the statement continued. “A complete investigation is underway by ALEA and Auburn Police to determine the identity and how the victim came to be at that location. The examination will explore if the remains are those of Aniah Blanchard who went missing on October 24, 2019.
“The case remains under investigation by the Auburn Police Division.”
A story from AL.com reports that Macon County Hal Bentley told AL.com that his office had not been notified of the found human remains.
Meanwhile, Antwain Shamar “Squirmy” Fisher, the second suspect arrested in the case, made an appearance in court today. According to public court records, he is accused of providing the first suspect Ibraheem Yazeed “material assistance to Yazeed by providing transportation to Yazeed, and disposing of evidence.”
He was released on $50,000 USD bond.
Blanchard is the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight fighter Walt Harris. She has been missing since Oct. 23. Police first arrested and charged Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, on Nov. 7. He has since been denied bond and ordered to take a DNA test. His case will be heard before a grand jury.
A gag order remains in effect in the case as it continues.
