Aniah Blanchard’s accused kidnapper held without bond

The man accused of kidnapping 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard is being held without bond. His victim has not been found.

Ibraheem Yazeed, 30, had his first appearance at the Lee County Justice Center in Alabama yesterday afternoon, charged with felony kidnapping.

U.S. Marshalls apprehended Yazeed in Escambia County, Florida, on Thursday, Nov. 7, and he was extradited to Alabama Friday, Nov. 8, reports WJTV.

Reportedly, Yazeed was out on $280,000 bond, along with a female accomplice, on charges of kidnapping and attempted murder in Montgomery County, Ala. They were accused of holding two men against their will on Jan. 29, 2019,, beating and stealing money from them. One man was beaten nearly to death.

Aniah Haley Blanchard. Photos courtesy Auburn Police Department.

Family and friends of Aniah Blanchard last heard from her on Oct. 23, when she spoke with a friend on the telephone.

“Video evidence from a convenience store located at South College St. in Auburn placed both Blanchard and a black male later positively identified as Ibraheem Yazeed at the store during the same time,” states the charging document obtained by WRBL in Alabama. “[T]his was the last time she was seen. During the subsequent investigation, a witness identified Yazeed as the individual he observed, forcing Blanchard into a vehicle against her will and then leaving with her in the vehicle.”

Blanchard’s badly damaged vehicle, a black 2017 Honda CRV, was recovered a few days later.

“Blood evidence was discovered in the passenger’s compartment of the vehicle that was indicative of someone suffering a life-threatening injury,” the charging document continues. “The evidence was submitted to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and confirmed to be that of Aniah Blanchard.”

The reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Blanchard’s disappearance is now $105,000. If you have any information, please call the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP, or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.