Ibraheem Yazeed, 36, has been convicted of murder and felony murder in the 2019 killing of 19‑year‑old Aniah Blanchard in Macon County, Alabama, though the verdict is for lesser charges than the original capital murder indictment.
What the verdict covers
A jury found Yazeed guilty of murder and felony murder involving the abduction and robbery of Blanchard, but not of capital murder, which had carried a possible death‑penalty or life‑without‑parole outcome. A third capital‑murder count related to a victim in a vehicle was dropped just before closing arguments. His sentencing is scheduled for May 7, and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has said prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence allowed by law, aiming to keep Yazeed in prison for life.
Background of the crime
Aniah Blanchard, a student at Southern Union Community College and the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, was reported missing on October 24, 2019, after being seen on surveillance entering a convenience store in Auburn the night before. Surveillance showed Yazeed inside the store, and a witness later said he forced Blanchard into her black 2017 Honda CR‑V outside.
Her car was found nearly 60 miles away in Montgomery with new dents and scratches, and evidence inside indicated she had suffered a life‑threatening injury. About a month later, her remains were discovered in a wooded area of Macon County, with the cause of death ruled a gunshot wound. Prosecutors say Yazeed shot her during the abduction and robbery, killed her in or near her car, and then transported her to the woods where he shot her again in the head.
Investigation, trial, and legacy
Yazeed, who was already out on bond for unrelated kidnapping and attempted‑murder charges at the time of Blanchard’s death, was not indicted on capital murder until November 2022. At trial, the defense argued there was little DNA tying him directly to the crime, while prosecutors leaned heavily on surveillance footage, witness testimony, and circumstantial evidence; Yazeed did not testify.
In the wake of the case, Alabama passed “Aniah’s Law” in 2022, expanding a judge’s ability to deny bail to those accused of violent offenses. Blanchard’s mother, Angela Harris, has founded a nonprofit, Aniah’s Heart, to help families search for missing loved ones and promote violence prevention; she said the family was relieved Yazeed was convicted but disappointed he was not found guilty of capital murder and hopes he receives the maximum sentence.
