Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
Ibraheem Yazeed, the accused killer in Aniah Blanchard’s 2019 disappearance and murder case, is now awaiting trial. CBS 48 Hours recently chronicled the Alabama case in an episode titled “Fighting for Aniah,” which aired on Saturday, June 29, 2024.
A synopsis of the episode states, “College student Aniah Blanchard had a deep fear of being kidnapped. When she disappears, UFC fighter Walt Harris battles for justice for his stepdaughter.”
Where is Aniah Blanchard’s accused killer Ibraheem Yazeed now?
Montogomery Adviser stated that Ibraheem Yazeed is now awaiting trial at the Lee County Detention Center. CNN further reported that Yazeed faces three counts of capital murder for murdering Aniah on October 23, 2019. The indictment alleges that he fatally shot the 19-year-old Alabama college student during an attempted kidnapping and robbery incident. He was trying to rob her of her cell phone and vehicle.
Per the indictment, Aniah Blanchard’s accused killer, Ibraheem Yazeed, faces one count of capital murder during a kidnapping in the first degree, one count of capital murder during a robbery in the first degree, and one count of capital murder involving a victim in a vehicle. CBS reported that at the time of the crime, the accused killer was out on bond on attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, and assault charges stemming from a separate case. He also had a lengthy arrest record.
Accused killer Ibraheem Yazeed, who now faces capital murder charges, was linked to Aniah Blanchard’s case using surveillance footage. On the night of October 23, 2019, Aniah was returning home after dropping off her brother Elijah at his house. She made a brief pitstop at a convenience store. Authorities used surveillance from the store to trace her footsteps. Using the same footage, they also identified Ibraheem as a potential suspect. Moreover, a witness claimed that they saw Ibraheem force Aniah into her car.
Reportedly, Aniah’s case started as a missing person’s investigation. Authorities, who arrested the accused killer, Ibraheem Yazeed, in November 2019, initially charged him with kidnapping. However, after discovering the missing 19-year-old’s remains, they upgraded the charges. The accused has pleaded not guilty to all three capital murder counts.
At the time of her murder, Aniah Blanchard was a student at Southern Union State Community College college. She was also the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.
