This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
On November 25, 2019, authorities in Alabama discovered human remains in a wooded area near Highway 80 in Shorter, a town about 25 miles east of Montgomery.
The remains were found in a wooded area near Highway 80 in Shorter, Alabama, a town about 25 miles east of Montgomery. Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said in an email that the authorities had 'good reason' to believe the remains belonged to Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student who went missing on October 24.
Blanchard was last seen alive in Auburn, Alabama, and her black 2017 Honda CR-V was found in Montgomery days after her disappearance, according to the Auburn Police Department.
Three men have been arrested in connection with Blanchard's disappearance: Ibraheem Yazeed, 30, of Montgomery; Antwain Fisher, who was taken into custody on Friday; and David Johnson Jr., who was arrested on Monday and charged with hindering prosecution.
Blanchard's father, Elijah, described his daughter as a victim of circumstance, saying she was 'just at the wrong place at the wrong time.' He also praised her as an 'outstanding person' who loved steak and had a favorite color of baby blue.
