Aniah Blanchard missing: Police suspect foul play as UFC offers extra $25k for information

Aniah Blanchard still missing a week after being spotted on CCTV

Aniah Blanchard has not been seen since she was caught on surveillance footage visiting a shop last week (Youtube - Auburn Police Division)

The disappearance of UFC fighter Walt Harris’ stepdaughter is now a criminal investigation as authorities suspect foul play, lawyers in Alabama have said.

Alabama college student Aniah Blanchard, 19, has been missing since Wednesday 23 October and was last seen on surveillance footage visiting a shop.

Her car – a black 2017 Honda CRV – was found abandoned near an apartment complex in Montgomery last Friday.

The area around the front left tyre was damaged and is believed to have happened between the time she was last seen and when the car was found, according to Police in the nearby city of Auburn.

Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes told CNN “foul play” is suspected.

Adding: “This is a criminal investigation. Obviously, we’re approaching it as such.

“I think the only right way to do it is to approach it as if foul play is involved and as if there is someone or more than one person involved in this.

“We do not believe Aniah would or did essentially go missing on her own volition.”

Auburn Police Department said in a statement this week that Ms Blanchard contacted a friend just before midnight on 23 October and has not been heard from since.

On Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey offered a reward of $5,000 (£3,800) for information leading to an arrest and conviction of a suspect in the case.

He tweeted: “I encourage anyone with information about the whereabouts of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, who was last seen Oct. 23, to please call *HP or 9-1-1.

“We continue to pray for Aniah & her family as law enforcement officials work to bring her home.”

The president of the UFC, Dana White, has since upped the reward by adding another $25,000 (£19,300) for information.

The FBI, US Marshalls Service and Department of Homeland Security are among several agencies investigating the disappearance.

Ms Blanchard’s father, Elijah Blanchard, said she “would not leave” without telling anyone.

Speaking to ABC News, he said: “She always calls me at the end of the day to see how my day was.

“She would never not contact somebody and let them know what she’s doing.”

UFC heavyweight fighter Harris shared images of his stepdaughter on his Instagram account and made an appeal for information.

He said: “Please help find my baby Aniah Blanchard. She is missing in Auburn.

“Please help!!!! Any info message me on here or call the Auburn police … PLEASE SHARE THIS!!!!”

Ms Blanchard is described as a black woman with a light complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, weighing around 125 pounds and 5ft 6 inches tall.