Aniah Blanchard timeline: What we know about the disappearance, search for Alabama teen

Grace Pateras | Montgomery Advertiser

Show Caption Hide Caption Aniah Blanchard: What we know about the Alabama teen's disappearance DA says there is 'strong reason to believe' Aniah Blanchard's remains found in Macon County. Here's what we know about her disappearance.

Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old from Homewood, Alabama, has been missing since Oct. 23, 2019.

The Southern Union State Community College student was reported missing from Auburn. Days later, her vehicle was recovered at a Montgomery apartment complex, about 55 miles west of where the teen was last seen.

"Aniah is a nurturing person. She likes to make sure everybody is OK. That’s what my concern is, that somebody has taken advantage of her kindness," Blanchard's father, Elijah Blanchard, said.

"She’s not a mean person. I’ve never heard her say anything bad about anybody. She was always a forgiving person, she has a heart of gold and would do anything to help anyone who needed it."

More: 'A heart of gold': Aniah Blanchard's father pleads 'we want her home'

Blanchard's family — including her mother, father, stepfather, and brother — along with loved ones have pleaded the public for answers.

Reward money for information regarding Blanchard's disappearance jumped to $105,000 on Oct. 31. Ultimate Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones announced on Instagram that he pledged $25,000 to match a $25,000 donation from UFC President Dana White. Blanchard's stepfather fights for the mixed martial arts organization.

Aniah Haley Blanchard disappearance, search timeline

Oct. 23: Last contact

Auburn police release footage of missing teen She was seen in a convenience store on October 23.

Blanchard was last seen on video surveillance film at an Auburn convenience store not far from her home. In an interview with WBRC, Blanchard’s mother, Angela Haley-Harris, and stepfather, Walt Harris, said Blanchard had visited with them that day and had complained of being tired before driving home with her brother, who she dropped off prior to entering the convenience store.

Just before midnight, Snapchat messages sent from Blanchard’s phone to her roommate later that night appear to indicate that she was with a young man, but it is unclear whether Blanchard sent the messages herself.

Her parents and roommate interpreted that behavior as uncharacteristic.

Shortly before midnight on Oct. 24, Blanchard's mother, Angela Haley-Harris, said her daughter’s phone went dark.

Oct. 24: Missing report

Loved ones report her missing the next day to the Auburn Police Department.

Oct. 26: Car found damaged in Montgomery

A local citizen reported a car to police found at a Montgomery apartment complex at the 6100 block of Boardwalk Boulevard near Atlanta Highway.

Auburn and Montgomery police recover Blanchard's 2017 Honda CR-V there.

A photo shared by Auburn police shows significant scrape marks and damage to the vehicle's right wheel well and passenger door.

Car found: Police find Blanchard's car in Montgomery apartment complex parking lot

Blood found: Aniah Blanchard update: Blood linked by DNA to missing Alabama teen found in victim's car

Oct. 30: Task force formed

A task force of more than 60 organizations was formed, made up of a dozen law enforcement agencies that include the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Oct. 31: Police believe Aniah Blanchard is victim of foul play

Auburn police announce evidence from the crashed vehicle suggests Blanchard was "harmed and is considered to be a victim of foul play."

Foul play: New evidence shows Aniah Blanchard was a victim of foul play

Reward money for information regarding Blanchard's disappearance jumped to $105,000.

Nov. 4: Prayer services honor missing teen

A prayer vigil was held at Open Door Christian Faith Worship Center in Montgomery and at other locations across the state.

Montgomery Police officers were in attendance at Open Door.

The Worship Center has pledged that members will gather each Monday night at 6 p.m. to hold a vigil until Blanchard is found.

Nov. 6: Police release photo of person of interest

Auburn police released a photo of a man seen on surveillance footage in a convenience store during the time Aniah Blanchard was last spotted on Oct. 23.

He is described as in his early to mid 20's, approximately 200 pounds., and is between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches in height.

The video shows he was wearing dark-colored pants and shoes and a camouflage-colored hoodie with "Vans" written across the back at the time.

He was observed leaving the area in what is believed to be a late 2000's model Lincoln Town Car that was gray or silver in color.

Nov. 7: Person of interest in Aniah Blanchard's disappearance identified as Ibraheem Yazeed

Auburn police identified the man in the photo as Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, and are calling him a person of interest in the case.

U.S. Marshals are actively looking for Yazeed, who is wanted on a charge of first-degree kidnapping.

Nov. 8: Ibraheem Yazeed arrested in Florida

About 2:30 a.m., Yazeed was booked into Escambia County, Florida, jail on the kidnapping charge. He was listed without a bond because he was considered a fugitive wanted in another state.

Authorities were searching for him for about 12 hours since he was publicly named by authorities and a warrant was issued for his arrest. It was two days after surveillance video photos of a man police say was Yazeed were released.

Florida State Attorney Bill Eddins initially said Yazeed would appear before Circuit Judge Michael G. Allen at the Department of Juvenile Center in Pensacola, Florida, at 8 a.m. Saturday. Though, late Friday a judge held a hearing to immediately extradite Yazeed back to Auburn.

Where's the suspect?: Aniah Blanchard update: Suspect Ibraheem Yazeed to be immediately extradited to Alabama

He will be extradited to Alabama to face criminal charges by Friday afternoon.

A probable cause affidavit revealed that blood "indicative of someone suffering a life-threatening injury" was discovered in the passenger's side of Aniah Blanchard's vehicle.

Nov. 12: Judges orders Ibraheem Yazeed to be held without bond

A Lee County judge has ruled Yazeed to be held without bond.

According to court records filed Tuesday morning, prosecutors argued that Yazeed's "extensive history of violent criminal offenses," the fact he was on bond at the time of Blanchard's alleged kidnapping and that he fled to Escambia County, Florida as evidence for the no bond.

District Judge Russell Bush agreed, according to the order.

In the same filing, Bush also ruled that "the parties and any potential witnesses" in the case are "prohibited from making any statements to members of the media, or directly discussing their involvement in this case or any current or future trial proceedings with members of the media."

Nov. 13: Texas group EquuSearch stops search for Aniah Blanchard

A Texas-based nonprofit that works to find missing people across the country has called off its search for UFC heavyweight Walt Harris’ missing stepdaughter.

Destinie Duvall of Texas EquuSearch tells WRBL-TV the horse-mounted search group is heading home after using “every resource available” to search for 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard in Auburn, Alabama.

Ibraheem Yazeed's preliminary hearing set

Yazeed, charged with kidnapping in the disappearance of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, will appear in court for a preliminary hearing Nov. 20, a Lee County judge ordered.

Yazeed's attorney, Elijah Beaver, filed a motion Wednesday requesting the hearing, simply stating that his client "is entitled to a preliminary hearing on these charges."

District Judge Russell Bush granted the order and set the hearing for 9 a.m. Bush also ordered that all evidence be provided to the defense in a timely manner "and if possible, prior to the preliminary hearing."

Nov. 14: Ibraheem Yazeed's attorney asks for a reduced bond

Yazeed has been moved to solitary confinement following death threats from Lee County inmates, his attorney alleges, and he needs his bond reduced.

Elijah Beaver, appointed to represent 29-year-old Yazeed, filed the motion in court record on Nov. 14.

In the motion, Beaver argues giving his client a bond would allow him to be moved from Lee County to the Montgomery County Detention Facility where he'd be held without bond again on several bond revocation orders.

Aniah Blanchard's parents appear on Dr. Phil

Aniah Blanchard's parents tell Dr. Phil theory about missing daughter Angela and Walt Harris spoke with Dr. Phil about their missing daughter. Aniah Harris was last seen on Oct. 24.

Walt and Angela Harris shared the story of their missing daughter on national television.

In an interview with Dr. Phil that aired on TV on Nov. 14, the parents shared their own theories about the case and an emotional message to Blanchard.

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Nov. 22: Antwain Shamar 'Squirmy' Fisher second suspect arrested in Aniah Blanchard's disappearance

Antwain Shamar "Squirmy" Fisher, 35, was arrested by the Auburn Police Department in Montgomery on Friday, Nov. 22, according to Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes.

According to Fisher's charging documents, he disposed of evidence and provided transportation for Yazeed. The records do not say what evidence he is alleged to have handled.

Fisher is to be held without bond, Lee County Judge Steven Speak ruled Monday. Fisher will appear for a preliminary hearing Dec. 18 at 9 a.m.

Nov. 25: Remains found in Macon County, 'strong reason to believe' they belong to Aniah Blanchard

Authorities have "strong reason to believe" human remains found in Macon County are those of missing Alabama teen Aniah Blanchard, Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser Monday, Nov. 25.

David Johnson Jr. arrested as third suspect in Aniah Blanchard's disappearance

David Johnson Jr., of Montgomery, was arrested Nov. 25 and charged with hindering prosecution for his alleged part in Blanchard's disappearance.

Third suspect: Suspect in Aniah Blanchard case lied about his son's involvement with another suspect, documents say

Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes declined to say in what way Johnson hindered prosecution. A gag order on the case prevents attorneys, prosecutors and witnesses from speaking to the media about the cases.

Nov. 27: Authorities confirm Macon County remains belong to Aniah Blanchard

Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser that the remains were positively identified to be Blanchard's. At a press conference with WBRC, Auburn Police Chief Paul Register said the case will move forward as a homicide investigation and further charges are expected.

Anyone with information in the case is urged to call the Auburn police at 334-501-3140, the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391 or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.

Dec. 2: Ibraheem Yazeed to face the death penalty, DA announces

Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said in a press conference on Dec. 2 that he will seek the death penalty against Ibraheem Yazeed, who faces two counts of capital murder in Blanchard's death.

He's accused of shooting Blanchard in her car.

Dec. 4: Aniah Blanchard fought back, court records reveal

Blanchard "went for the gun" and fought Yazeed back before she was shot, according to court documents.

This story will continue to update as it develops.

Grace Pateras is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter at @gracepateras.