Ibraheem Yazeed has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder
and abduction of Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of former
UFC heavyweight Walt
Harris.
Earlier this year, Yazeed was
found guilty on charges of murder and felony murder in relation
to the abduction and death of Blanchard in 2019. Yazeed was
officially given two life sentences without the possibility of
parole, the most severe penalty possible based on his conviction.
Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty for Yazeed.
“Today, justice has been served. I am gratified that the court
imposed the maximum allowable sentence for the senseless and brutal
murder of Aniah Blanchard, life in prison. It is the sentence that
the weight of this crime demanded, and one that Aniah’s family has
long deserved,” Alabama attorney general Steve
Marshall stated in a release.
“My deepest sympathies remain with Aniah’s family and all who loved
her. No verdict can undo their unimaginable loss, but my hope is
that today’s outcome brings a measure of closure and allows them to
begin the long journey toward healing.”
Blanchard was abducted from a gas station in Auburn, Alabama, on
Oct. 23, 2019. Yazeed was seen forcing Blanchard into a vehicle,
and her body was found a month later in Macon County. An autopsy
determined Blanchard died of a gunshot wound. Yazeed was out on
bond for unrelated attempted murder and kidnapping charges when he
abducted and killed Blanchard. That that to Alabama lawmakers
passing Aniah’s Law in 2022, which allows judges to deny bail to
those accused of violent offenses.
Face to Face
Harris was able to address the 36-year-old Yazeed in court.
“It meant everything,” Harris told WVTM13. “It’s something I’ve been waiting on
and working toward for six-and-a-half years. It’s been a hard
process. Every day’s different.We’re still grieving but it was
important to look him in the eyes and let him know he didn’t win
and that we have the power,” he said. “I wanted him to know evil
didn’t win. God always wins in the end.”
Now 42 years old, Harris went 6-9 with one no contest over two UFC
stints. He last fought at UFC Fight Night 189 on June 5, 2021, when
he suffered a first-round TKO loss against Marcin
Tybura.