Missing Alabama College Student: Florida Police Arrest Person Of Interest In Connection With Aniah Blanchard Disappearance

Police in Florida held a 30-year-old man Friday in the disappearance of UFC heavyweight fighter Walt Harris' 19-year-old stepdaughter.

Ibraheem Yazeed was arrested in Escambia County late Thursday near the Florida/Alabama state line hours after he was identified as a person of interest by the Auburn, Alabama, police in the kidnapping of Aniah Haley Blanchard.

Blanchard disappeared in Auburn Oct. 23. She was last seen on surveillance footage from a convenience store. Blanchard’s damaged 2017 Honda CR-V was then found in Montgomery, Alabama, two days later. Authorities said evidence in the car suggested foul play.

Yazeed, who was out on bond for kidnapping and murder, was spotted on surveillance footage at the same convenience store.

In the wake of Blanchard’s disappearance, Harris pulled out of his scheduled bout against Alistair Overeem on Dec. 7. UFC President Dana White offered a $30,000 reward.

“We don't have any reason to know that she was familiar with him, but we can't rule out completely that there would have been some knowledge,” Auburn Police Chief Paul Register told reporters.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the location and well-being of Blanchard to come forward.