The President of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Dana White has confirmed that the Authorities in Alabama has confirmed that the human remains they found earlier in the weeks were those of 19-year-old, Aniah Blanchard.
Aniah Blanchard before her death, was the stepdaughter of UFC fighter, Walt Harris who was reported to have gone missing on October 24th 2019.
Dana White confirming the heartbreaking news on his Instagram account on Wednesday night posted a photo of Aniah Blanchard with a condolence message to the family. He said:
“Law Enforcement has confirmed to us that it is Aniah that they found.
I’m devastated to hear this news. I’m heartbroken for Walt and his family. Thank you, everyone, for the support including the local and state Alabama law enforcement, media, athletes, managers and fans. My condolences go out to everyone that was touched by Aniah’s story and tried to help bring her home.”
According to the report by People, the Alabama officials announced during a press conference, just two days after cops believed they had found Blanchard’s remains in Macon County on County Road 2, saying:
“It is with a heavy heart that we so confirm today that the remains are in fact of Aniah Blanchard,” authorities said, adding that the case will now move forward as a homicide investigation with additional charges expected to be announced soon
Police also noted that no cause or manner of death for Blanchard had been determined yet.
Auburn police said Wednesday that examiners had positively identified the remains as those of Blanchard.
“At this point, the case will move forward as a homicide investigation and additional charges are forthcoming,” police said in a statement.
Auburn Police Chief Paul Register said that Blanchard’s family were “heartbroken.”
“But at least they can now begin to deal with this and move forward,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Harris, Blanchard’s father, had been scheduled for a UFC heavyweight fight on Dec. 7. After getting word of his stepdaughter’s disappearance, he withdrew from the fight and urged the public to help find her.
Two men have been charged with first-degree kidnapping: Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, and Antwain “Squirmy” Fisher, 35. A third man, David Johnson Jr., is charged with hindering prosecution, accused of having driven Yazeed to Florida after the abduction.
Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said Wednesday that once a cause of death has been confirmed, he and Register will “talk through what the next and appropriate charges will be.”
“I am heartbroken for the family of Aniah Blanchard,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement Wednesday. “Like Alabamians across our state, I was praying for a much different outcome. I will be keeping them in my prayers and ask the people of Alabama to continue to do so as well.”