By Joshua Huff, sports editor
AUBURN — Authorities now say that evidence related to the disappearance of 19-year-old Aniah Haley Blanchard points to the Homewood native being considered a victim of foul play.
Authorities in Auburn issued the statement Thursday after Blanchard’s SUV was examined by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences which “has now determined that she was harmed and is considered to be a victim of foul play.”
Blanchard, a Southern Union State Community College student, was reported missing to Auburn Police on Thursday, Oct. 24. She last communicated with a friend on Wednesday night, Oct. 23, just before midnight. She is described as a light-complexioned black female, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 125 lbs. with brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black dress and tan duck boots with black stockings.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a reward of $5,000 on Wednesday regarding any information that leads to an arrest and conviction regarding the disappearance of Blanchard.
That reward jumped to $30,000 after the president of the mixed martial arts fighting league, Dana White, tweeted a video saying he’s offering $25,000.
“To help find Aniah, I’m contributing an additional $25,000 to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators involved in the disappearance of Aniah Blanchard,” White said in a video posted to Twitter.
Blanchard is the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.
If you have any information that can help authorities locate Blanchard, contact the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140 or the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391.
