The parents of Aniah Blanchard are reacting to the verdict in the trial of Ibraheem Yazeed. A Macon County, AL jury returned a verdict of felony murder and murder but not capital murder for Yazeed Thursday March 19, 2026. The lesser charge of murder means Yazeed will escape the death penalty. The family immediately left the courthouse visibly shaken but have since spoken about the verdict through various venues.
Angela Haley-Harris, the mother of Blanchard has frequently updated the public on social media during the six-year ordeal since her daughter was first reported missing. “We still can’t speak as candidly as we want and will until after Sentencing but trust me when we can speak just be ready!!!!!” she posted on Facebook.
“We are trying to pick ourselves up to even get out of bed because Aniah deserved for him to be sentenced to Death!!!! At least he will never be able to hurt anyone ever again!!!! And he will rot for what he did to our baby and others!! We will keep fighting and Honoring her!! There is so much we have planned in her honor!! Just be patient with us as we try and get ourselves together!! The trial was very traumatic!!! My next post and hopefully video if I can get myself together for one will be a thank you post or video!!”
The father of Aniah, Elijah Blanchard spoke to WVTM 13 in Birmingham after the trial. “There’s no verdict that can bring Aniah back so each day that we live with that opening it was difficult. This at least brings a little sense of closure to us as a family,” Blanchard said. He concluded his statement to the television station suggesting there is a higher power capable of serving justice. “Even though the system doesn’t give you everything you hope for I trust that God sees what man cannot.”
The case generated national headlines when Aniah Blanchard disappeared from an Auburn gas station on the night of October 23rd, 2019. The East Alabama college student’s remains were discovered a month later behind a church in a rural area of Macon County, AL. Yazeed was captured on the run in Florida and originally faced three counts of Capital Murder.
The case also prompted legislators in Alabama to pass “Aniah’s Law” which allows judges to deny bond for certain violent crimes. Yazeed’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2026.
