Police Positively Identify Aniah Blanchard’s Remains
Authorities confirm that human remains found in a wooded area in rural Macon County are those of Aniah Haley Blanchard. Blanchard was reported missing on Oct. 24, 2019.
“I am heartbroken for the family of Aniah Blanchard,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “Like Alabamians across our state, I was praying for a much different outcome. I appreciate the diligence of the Auburn Police Division, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the many volunteers who were searching for Aniah. She is indeed loved and will be remembered by us all.”
Searchers found the remains on Monday in the 38,000 block of County Road 2 in Shorter, Alabama. In a press release on Wednesday, the Auburn Police Division said that the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences positively identified the remains and that the case will move forward as a homicide investigation, with additional charges are forthcoming. Officials have not released the cause or manner of her death.
Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student originally from Homewood, was last seen at a convenience store on Oct. 23 in Auburn. Her vehicle was later found abandoned at an apartment complex in Montgomery. Josh Mixon, a detective with the Auburn Police Department, said Blanchard’s blood was found in the car and it appeared she had suffered a life-threatening injury.
Mixon testified that convenience store video footage showed a man buying a beverage looked over at Blanchard. He said tipsters later identified the man as Ibraheem Yazeed, and a man at the store told investigators he saw Yazeed force Blanchard into her car and drive away.
Yazeed and Antwain Shamar Fisher are charged with first degree kidnapping. Fisher’s father, David Lee Fisher Jr. is charged with hindering prosecution.
Trump administration cancels plans to develop a bird flu vaccine
The Department of Health and Human Services is ending a $766 million contract with the vaccine company Modern to develop an mRNA vaccine for flu strains with pandemic potential, including bird flu.
Federal trade court blocks Trump from imposing tariffs under emergency powers law
The ruling from a three-judge panel at the New York-based Court of International Trade came after several lawsuits arguing that Trump has exceeded his authority.
Judge says Rubio “likely” violated Constitution in ordering Mahmoud Khalil deported
But in a mixed ruling, Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz declined, for now, to order Khalil released from immigration detention.
Tate brothers face rape and trafficking charges in U.K.
British prosecutors have approved 21 charges against self styled misogynist influencers, brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, including rape, assault, and human trafficking.
Shooting outside Jewish museum raises questions about shifts in political violence
If the suspect in the recent D.C. case planned to kill people because of their Jewish faith, this would represent a major anomaly in lethal, antisemitic violence.
Peruvian farmer loses landmark climate case against German energy giant
A Peruvian farmer has lost a decade-long legal climate case against Germany energy giant RWE. Saúl Luciano Lliuya claimed the company's emissions had contributed to glacial melt threatening his Andean hometown.
