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.
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
