*UFC heavyweight competitor Walt Harris took to Instagram last week asking the public for help in locating his 19-year-old stepdaughter, who went missing on Oct. 23 in Alabama.
Harris, 36, shared several photos of his Aniah Blanchard, along with the caption: “Please help!!!! Any info message me on here or call the Auburn police (334) 501-3140 Please!!! BOLO: Black 2017 Honda CRV Tag: 49BS356 My daughters name is Aniah! ????? PLEASE SHARE THIS!!!!,” the athlete said.
An investigation was launched into her disappearance and two days after she went missing, the 19-year-old’s damaged black 2017 Honda CR-V was found at an apartment complex in Montgomery, about an hour’s drive from Auburn, where Blanchard lives. She has not been seen since she was caught on surveillance video visiting a convenience store last week.
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“Evidence from within Aniah Blanchard’s vehicle, recovered in Montgomery, was examined by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and has now determined that she was harmed and is considered to be a victim of foul play,” police said in a statement Thursday. “The Auburn Police Division and Montgomery Police Department are still requesting assistance from the public regarding any information on the location of Aniah and her vehicle between Wednesday, October 23, 2019, and today.”
A $35,000 reward is being offered for information regarding the disappearance of the teen.
Blanchard, a student at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, was reported missing by her family on Oct. 24. Police said she last communicated with a friend on Oct. 23, just before midnight.
“This is a criminal investigation. Obviously, we’re approaching it as such. I think the only right way to do it is to approach it as if foul play is involved and as if there is someone or more than one person involved in this,” Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said Wednesday. “We do not believe Aniah would or did essentially go missing on her own volition.”
Police are encouraging anyone with information regarding Blanchard to call the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140, the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391 or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100, via PEOPLE.
“If somebody out there knows anything or knows the whereabouts of my daughter, please, please, please, I beg you to let someone know.”
Father pleads for help in finding missing daughter as police release new surveillance video of Aniah Blanchard. https://t.co/wQt4tVF9NM pic.twitter.com/qLDXbtHRVx
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 29, 2019
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