Aniah Blanchard, daughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, has been missing since October 23, and the Governor of Alabama has now offered a reward in the case.
A $5,000 reward has been offered for information in the case of Aniah Blanchard, the missing stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris. Blanchard, attending Southern Union College in Alabama, was last heard from October 23. The 19-year old’s car was found damaged and abandoned two days later, but there has been no sign of the student.
Police officials believe foul play is a possibility. Auburn Police Capt. Lorenza Dorsey stated that the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, the Department of Homeland Security, the Lee County District Attorney’s Office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Fusion Center and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences are assisting in the investigation.
The suggestion that Blanchard was meeting up with an individual from a dating app could not be confirmed, said Dorsey (via AL.com). “We cannot rule it out or confirm at this point in the investigation.’’
Wednesday, the office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation offering the reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of any party involved in Blanchard’s disappearance.
WHEREAS authenticated information has reached this office regarding the disappearance of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard in Lee County, Alabama;
WHEREAS the victim has not been located; and
WHEREAS her disappearance remains unsolved and the circumstances surrounding this event indicate that every effort should be made apprehend and convict the perpetrator or perpetrators;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me as governor of the state of Alabama under Ala. Code 15-9-1 and – 3 do hereby offer a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s), provided that no arrest has been made in connection with her disappearance as of the date of this proclamation, and provided further that eligibility for this reward shall be limited to private citizens who are not members or employees of any government law enforcement agency or the relatives thereof.”
Governor Ivey also posted a plea for information on her official Twitter account. Harris and the Blanchard family, as well as UFC President Dana White, have also put the word out on social media.
I encourage anyone with information about the whereabouts of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, who was last seen Oct. 23, to please call *HP or 9-1-1. We continue to pray for Aniah & her family as law enforcement officials work to bring her home. @ALEAprotects @CityofAuburnAL pic.twitter.com/YT8683L9B9
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 30, 2019
Update: Dana White is also offering an additional $25,000 for information related to the case.
