An arrest warrant has been issued in the case involving the disappearance of the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris.
The Auburn (Alabama) Police Division has obtained a warrant for the arrest of Ibraheem Yazeed on a charge of first-degree kidnapping, it was announced Thursday. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, along with other agencies, are actively searching for Yazeed.
Aniah Blanchard, the 19-year-old stepdaughter of Harris, has been missing since Oct. 24.
Yazeed, 30, is currently out on bond from separate charges of kidnapping and attempted murder in another jurisdiction. The release states that he is to be considered dangerous and potentially armed. Yazeed is a native of Montgomery, Alabama.
Citing investigation and analysis of evidence, the Auburn Police Division has determined that Yazeed was at the same location Blanchard was last seen and is involved in taking her against her will. Additional charges and possibly arrests are anticipated, the release stated.
The MMA community has rallied around Harris. UFC president Dana White has donated $30,000 and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has added $25,000 to the reward fund for any information about Blanchard’s whereabouts and those who might have taken her.
The reward fund is now above $100,000.
“I’m overwhelmed by [Jones’] and Dana’s generosity,” Harris said Monday on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “Everybody that has contributed. I’m just grateful and thankful to everyone that has contributed to the reward to help out my daughter. I’m forever indebted to everybody.”
Harris, 36, was scheduled to fight Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC Washington D.C. on Dec. 7, but withdrew in the wake of Blanchard’s disappearance. He is being replaced by Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
“I just pray that everybody keeps the hope alive,” Harris said. “We’re staying hopeful.”