The Tragic Kidnapping and Murder of Aniah Blanchard: A Complete Timeline
The disappearance of Aniah Blanchard, a vibrant 19-year-old from Homewood, Alabama, left her family in a state of unimaginable anguish. On October 23, 2019, after attending a funeral with her mother Angela Harris and brother Elijah, Aniah made the fateful drive back to Auburn where she was attending Southern Union State Community College. The evening began routinely, with Aniah dropping her brother at his apartment around 11:00 p.m., texting him shortly after to confirm she was close to home.
What should have been a simple 10-minute drive turned into a parent's worst nightmare. Known for always keeping in touch with loved ones, Aniah's unusual text messages that night raised immediate concerns. Her stepfather, UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, and her mother found themselves thrust into a desperate search for their daughter, who had vanished without a trace. The tight-knit family, including Aniah's biological father Elijah Blanchard Sr., united in their determination to find the young woman known for her infectious laugh and generous spirit.
Key Takeaways
Aniah Blanchard disappeared on October 23, 2019, after dropping her brother off at his apartment in Auburn.
The 19-year-old was known for her infectious spirit and close relationship with her blended family, including stepfather UFC fighter Walt Harris.
Unusual text messages sent from Aniah's phone the night of her disappearance immediately concerned her roommate who recognized something was wrong.
The Disappearance of Aniah Blanchard
Aniah Blanchard, a vibrant 19-year-old college student and stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight fighter Walt Harris, vanished in October 2019, leaving her family in desperate search for answers. Known for her infectious laugh and giving spirit, Aniah touched many lives through her kindness and genuine care for others. Her absence created an unbearable void for her loved ones who refused to give up hope of finding her.
Aniah's Final Known Movements
On October 23, 2019, Aniah attended a family friend's funeral in Northern Alabama with her brother Elijah and mother Angela. After the service, Aniah and Elijah began their 4-hour journey back to Auburn, where both were attending college. They made a brief stop at their home in Birmingham to visit their stepfather Walt Harris, who was training for an upcoming UFC fight.
The siblings shared a short conversation with Walt before continuing their journey. Walt later expressed regret about not asking them to stay overnight, noticing Aniah seemed tired. Around 11:00 PM, Aniah dropped Elijah off at his apartment, which was located approximately 3 miles from her own residence. At 11:09 PM, Elijah texted to check if she was close to home, to which she promptly replied "yeah."
The Search Begins and Community Response
When Aniah failed to respond to her roommate Sarah O'Brien's subsequent messages normally, concern began to grow. Their last exchange around 11:43 PM contained unusual language that didn't sound like Aniah. The following morning, October 24th, Angela Harris attempted their usual morning FaceTime call, but Aniah didn't answer.
The family immediately mobilized to find Aniah:
They contacted authorities to report her missing
UFC fighter Walt Harris put his fighting career on hold
The community joined search efforts across the area
"Pure hell, just the worst feeling ever to not know where your child is," Angela Harris described the experience. The family made public pleas for information, with Walt Harris stating, "We just want our daughter home. If you have any information, please, please come forward."
The disappearance gained national attention, with community members and strangers alike joining the search for the young woman who was known for her compassionate spirit and for bringing people together. Her mother Angela remained determined, declaring, "Mommy is not going to give up till I find you. We're going to bring you home."
Family Consequences
Walt Harris's Journey
Walt Harris, a UFC heavyweight fighter ranked ninth globally in 2019, experienced profound emotional devastation following Aniah's disappearance. "Fighting was the furthest thing from my mind at that point," he explained, describing the overwhelming priority of finding his daughter. The normally imposing 6'5", 250-pound athlete became "almost a shell" of himself, uncertain if he would ever return to fighting.
Harris's relationship with Aniah had begun when she was just three years old, creating a bond so strong he never considered her a stepdaughter but his own child. Their connection developed immediately, with Harris recalling, "We did everything together." This relationship became central to his fighting career, with Aniah serving as his greatest motivator.
After her disappearance, Harris struggled with guilt about their final interaction. "I should have just told her to stay because I felt like she was tired," he reflected, a regret he continues to battle daily. Despite his personal anguish, Harris found purpose in honoring Aniah's memory: "Everything for me moving forward is about making her proud. I'm always going to fight for my baby girl."
Angela Harris's Desperate Appeal
Angela Harris described the unimaginable torment of not knowing her daughter's whereabouts as "pure hell" and "the worst feeling ever." The searching process became all-consuming for the pediatric emergency room nurse. "You don't sleep, you don't eat, you're constantly thinking about where she is, what has happened, and it does not go away," she explained.
Despite her anguish, Angela maintained unwavering determination throughout the ordeal. "I love you and Mommy is not going to give up till I find you," she pledged publicly to Aniah. "We're going to bring you home. You're coming home, so don't worry." The shared birthday between mother and daughter on June 22nd held special significance for Angela, making the separation even more painful.
Angela described her daughter as a "very happy girl that loved life," emphasizing Aniah's exceptional compassion. "She was very loving and giving. She always put others before herself," Angela noted, highlighting the unique quality people recognized in her daughter. The family's focus remained singular and intense: "There is nothing in my mind other than finding Aniah."
Remembering Aniah
Aniah's Character and Connections
Aniah was a remarkably joyful young woman who truly embraced life with open arms. Her infectious laugh and irrepressible spirit made her special to everyone she encountered. She consistently prioritized others' needs before her own, demonstrating a selfless nature that became her defining quality.
"She just embraced people, she just loved people," her mother Angela Harris recalled. "She would walk in and no matter how you felt, how down you were, she could pick you up."
Aniah's compassionate nature extended beyond her immediate circle. During her school softball career as number 22, she established a tradition that became local folklore - inviting opposing teams to join her team on the pitcher's mound after games to share high-fives and the Lord's Prayer. This gesture represented her commitment to sportsmanship and connection, regardless of the game's outcome.
Hannah Crocker, who befriended Aniah in sixth grade, described her as "one of those people that just wanted to make sure that hey, you're doing okay, if not let me help you out." Their bond was so strong that people often mistook them for a couple, to which Hannah would respond, "No, this is my sister."
Walt Harris's Memories and Aniah's Impact
Walt Harris, Aniah's stepfather and UFC heavyweight fighter, formed an immediate bond with her when she was just three years old. "We did everything together," he reflected on their relationship that blossomed from the beginning. Despite not being her biological father, Walt never saw the distinction: "I didn't ever call them step kids. They were my children. It's just the way I saw it."
As Walt pursued his fighting career, Aniah remained his constant supporter and source of strength. "After wins we celebrate. If it's a loss, she'd always pick me up," Walt remembered. "She was always that rock, that voice that kept me going."
When Aniah disappeared, fighting became the furthest thing from Walt's mind. "I was almost a shell myself," he admitted. "I didn't even know if I'd fight again." Yet he found inspiration in her encouraging words: "She always was the one that was like 'don't stop, keep pushing, keep pushing, I know it's hard.'"
Walt now dedicates his athletic career to honoring her memory. "Everything for me moving forward is about making her proud," he stated with determination. "I'm going to always fight for my baby girl."
Aniah's Final Day
The Funeral and Journey Home
Aniah Blanchard and her brother Elijah attended a family friend's funeral in Northern Alabama on October 23, 2019. After the service concluded around 7:00 PM, they needed to begin their 185-mile journey back to Auburn. The siblings had work commitments the following morning, necessitating their prompt departure despite the long drive ahead. Before leaving, Aniah embraced her mother Angela, exchanging "I love you" messages and receiving a kiss on the cheek.
Family Visit During Transit
During their return journey, Aniah and Elijah made a special stop at their Birmingham home to visit their stepfather, Walt Harris. The UFC heavyweight fighter, ranked ninth globally at that time, was in training for an upcoming match. Despite the brevity of their visit, Walt shared meaningful moments with the siblings whom he considered his own children, having been in their lives since Aniah was just three years old.
The strong bond between Walt and the children had developed naturally over the years. He and Angela married in January 2010 after Angela's divorce from the children's biological father, Elijah Blanchard Sr., in 2004. Together, Walt and Angela had two more children, creating a blended family where Aniah often helped care for her younger siblings.
Aniah and Elijah's Departure
Walt later expressed regret about not insisting they stay overnight, noting Aniah seemed tired. Despite his concerns, she assured him, "I'm fine, Dad. I'll be fine." After exchanging hugs and "I love you" messages, the siblings continued their journey to Auburn, arriving around 11:00 PM. Aniah dropped Elijah at his apartment, with his parting words being, "Be careful and make sure you get home safe."
At 11:09 PM, Elijah texted to check if she was close to home, receiving a prompt affirmative response. From Elijah's apartment, Aniah had just three miles to travel to reach her place - typically a 10-minute drive. Her roommate Sarah O'Brien, who shared location data with Aniah due to Aniah's expressed fears of abduction, became concerned when Aniah hadn't arrived after 30 minutes. Their subsequent text exchange at 11:43 PM, with Aniah's uncharacteristic messages about "smoking a blunt" with someone named Eric she had "just met," would be their final communication.
The Search Begins
Early Efforts to Locate Aniah
On October 24, 2019, the disappearance of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard sent shockwaves through her family and community. When Aniah failed to contact her mother for their usual morning FaceTime call, concern quickly escalated. Her roommate Sarah O'Brien became worried when strange text messages came from Aniah's phone the previous night, using language uncharacteristic of her friend.
The initial hours were filled with desperate attempts to locate her. Parents Angela Harris and Walt Harris described this period as "pure hell" - the uncertainty of not knowing where their daughter was created an unbearable situation. They immediately mobilized, working tirelessly to find any trace of their daughter.
After dropping off her brother Elijah at his apartment around 11:00 PM on October 23, Aniah was expected to arrive at her own residence just 3 miles away within minutes. The short journey normally took only 10 minutes, but Aniah never made it home.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
The search quickly expanded beyond the family's initial efforts. Aniah's disappearance was officially reported, triggering a formal investigation that would ultimately span 11 days without any immediate trace of the young woman. As the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight fighter Walt Harris, her case gained national attention.
Community members rallied alongside law enforcement to locate the missing teen. Walt Harris, ranked ninth in the world in his division at the time, put his fighting career on hold to focus entirely on finding his daughter. "There is nothing in my mind other than finding Aniah," he stated during the search.
The investigation revealed Aniah's last known location appeared to be at an apartment complex frequented by students. Search parties combed the area while police gathered evidence. Posters with Aniah's photo and information circulated widely, with family members making emotional pleas for information: "If you have any information, please please come forward."
Throughout the ordeal, Aniah's family maintained remarkable determination despite their anguish. They didn't sleep, barely ate, and remained in constant motion searching for their daughter. Angela Harris expressed this unwavering commitment in a message directed to her missing daughter: "Mommy is not going to give up till I find you. We're going to bring you home."
The Blanchard Family
Family Life and Background
The Blanchard family's story is one of blended love and deep connections. Angela Harris and Walt Harris created a loving home after Angela's divorce from Elijah Blanchard Senior in 2004. Walt joined their lives when Aniah and Elijah Jr. were young children, quickly forming strong bonds with them. Despite being their stepfather, Walt never saw them as stepchildren. "I didn't ever call them step kids. They were my children," he explained.
Walt and Angela married in January 2010, eventually expanding their family with two more children, ASA and Aya. The family maintained positive relationships all around, with Elijah Blanchard Senior, a local pastor and businessman, remaining present in his children's lives. Angela worked nights as a pediatric emergency room nurse at a Birmingham hospital, which meant Aniah often helped Walt care for the younger children.
The siblings shared close relationships. Aniah and Elijah Jr., only 17 months apart in age, were nearly inseparable growing up. This closeness continued when Elijah enrolled at Auburn University in 2017, with Aniah following a year later to attend Southern Union State Community College, living just minutes from her brother.
Walt and Aniah's Relationship
Walt and Aniah developed a particularly special bond after he entered her life when she was around three years old. "I think it started day one. We did everything together," Walt recalled about their relationship. Standing 6'5" and weighing 250 pounds, Walt was a literal towering figure in the family as a UFC heavyweight fighter, but his gentle connection with Aniah was profound.
Aniah became Walt's biggest supporter in his fighting career. "After wins we celebrate, if it's a loss, she'd always pick me up," he explained. "She was always that rock, that voice that kept me going." Walt credits Aniah as the "main catalyst" for his motivation in the ring.
Their relationship was characterized by mutual support and encouragement. When Walt was training for fights, Aniah would consistently tell him, "Don't stop, keep pushing, keep pushing." This encouragement became even more meaningful after her disappearance, with Walt stating, "Everything for me moving forward is about making her proud. I'm going to always fight for my baby girl."
The Night Aniah Disappeared
On October 23, 2019, Aniah Blanchard's day began with a family funeral in Northern Alabama. After the service, she and her brother Elijah needed to leave promptly for the 4-hour drive back to Auburn, where both had work commitments the following day. They briefly stopped at their Birmingham home to visit their stepfather Walt Harris, who was training for an upcoming UFC fight.
The siblings shared a quick conversation and hugs with Walt before continuing their journey. Walt later expressed regret about not asking them to stay overnight, as he sensed Aniah was tired. Around 11:00 PM, they reached Auburn, where Aniah dropped Elijah at his apartment with a promise to text when she arrived safely home.
Messages with Roommate Sarah
At 11:09 PM, Elijah texted Aniah asking if she was close to home, and she immediately confirmed she was. Sarah O'Brien, Aniah's roommate, was expecting her return as well. The two young women routinely shared their locations via iPhone and kept each other informed about their whereabouts.
When Aniah hadn't arrived home thirty minutes later, Sarah sent another text asking if she had gone out. Aniah replied that she was "smoking a blunt" with someone named Eric whom she had just met. This response immediately concerned Sarah, as she had never heard Aniah use the term "blunt" before.
Their final text exchange occurred at 11:43 PM when Sarah asked where Aniah was. After receiving no further replies, Sarah checked Aniah's location, which showed her at a nearby apartment complex frequented by students. Assuming Aniah was with friends, Sarah went to bed.
Concerns and Unusual Behavior
The text messages from that night contained several red flags that only became apparent afterward. Aniah's use of unfamiliar slang and her mention of spending time with a stranger named Eric were completely out of character. Friends and family described Aniah as someone who rarely went anywhere alone at night due to her deep-seated fears.
Sarah later revealed that Aniah had always expressed a specific fear of being kidnapped or murdered. This anxiety manifested in routine behaviors like checking every room when entering their apartment and frequently having nightmares about such scenarios.
The next morning, October 24th, Aniah's mother Angela tried to reach her daughter for their daily FaceTime call around 8:00 AM. This morning ritual typically allowed them to catch up and discuss their plans for the day. When Aniah didn't answer, the first moments of what would become an agonizing ordeal for the family began to unfold.
