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.
Bernie Sanders says Democrats have ‘paid a political price’ for not listening to the working class
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, has been touring the country with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to push back against the Trump administration.
Stocks gain on hopes Trump will ease tensions with the Fed — and China
The Dow Jones advanced after Trump said he wouldn't fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell and on hopes of easing tensions over tariffs with China.
Who are the cardinals selecting the next pope?
The conclave to select a new pope will be sharply different from the body that chose Francis in 2013. Experts say that could make it harder to predict what the conclave will do.
NIH autism study will pull from private medical records
The National Institutes of Health plans to pool information from private sources like pharmacies and smartwatches.
In a quiet week for new releases, a noisy album tiptoes to the top of the charts
For the last few years, Carson's star has been on the rise, and his latest album debuts at No. 1 thanks to a bit of good timing. Also: Record Store Day makes a dent on the album chart.
What to know as the government begins collections on defaulted student debt
The Department of Education says it will resume collections on May 5 and send wage garnishment notices "later this summer." Here's how to know — and what to do — if you'll be affected.
