ANIAH'S HEART
Aniah’s Heart is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of life through prevention awareness and empowering the vulnerable to significantly impact the incidents of violence and crime in our society.
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19-year-old college student and Homewood native, Aniah Haley Blanchard, was tragically abducted and murdered on October 23, 2019, while heading home after dropping off her brother, Elijah, where they had just returned to Auburn after attending a funeral back home. Aniah was reported missing to the Auburn Police Department on October 24, 2019.
On November 25, human remains were found in the woods in Macon County, as were articles of clothing matching what Aniah had been wearing when she disappeared. The remains were identified as Aniah Blanchard’s two days later. An autopsy found that she had been killed by a gunshot wound.
Since her tragic death, Aniah’s parents were vocal and dedicated proponents of Aniah’s Law. The bill sought to expand the list of serious crimes for which judges can deny bail, adding Class-A felonies, including murder, kidnapping, assault, sexual torture, rape, domestic violence, human trafficking, aggravated child abuse, and terrorism. In these cases, prosecutors can propose a hearing during which the defendant is allowed to testify and present or cross-examine witnesses. The judge can then choose to grant or deny bail based on the testimonies and evidence presented.
Aniah's Law was passed on November 8, 2022. Now judges across the state are using it to deny bail under Aniah's Law.
In the face of this tragedy, Aniah’s family and friends have found many other ways to honor her life, preserve her memory, and work toward making a difference for victims of violent crime and their families.
Aniah’s Heart is dedicated to supporting, educating, and spreading awareness among those who have been touched by violent crime as well as those who, thanks to the non-profit’s efforts, may never have to.
Aniah's mother, Angela Harris, and her older brother, Elijah Blanchard, continue to be an inspiration of strength to us all and a beacon of hope for their community. Together, they have started Angels of Empowerment. They have chosen a path to empower and help others with grief, trauma, victims of violent crimes, and abuse by taking what they have experienced and been through these last few years and guiding others to see their way through the dark and find the light on the other side. Please click on the name to visit their page. I hope that their guidance can give you some comfort in knowing you do not have to walk this alone. 🕊 UPDATE May 7, 2026 🕊 ❤ JUSTICE HAS FINALLY BEEN SERVED ❤ After nearly 6 years, A judge has sentenced Ibraheem Yazeed to life in prison on both counts, felony murder and murder, in the Aniah Blanchard case. This man is responsible for the kidnapping and murder of 19 year old Aniah Blanchard. Justice has prevailed, and the judge handed down what he believed was the appropriate sentence based on the verdict: two life sentences in prison. Yet even with this outcome, it can never feel fully fair. He is able to live out the last of his days while she was the one who received a death sentence. 36 year old Ibraheem Yazeed was convicted on March 19th 2025 of kidnapping and murdering Aniah. The Prosecutors revealed she was shot inside her own vehicle before her body was dumped in a wooded area. Yazeed was already out on bond for attempted murder, kidnapping, and robbery charges at the time of the crime. A beautiful young life was stolen but her story changed laws and may save countless others. Those sentences will run concurrently with each other, meaning he will serve them at the same time, but consecutively with any other sentence he may have. The judge also ordered:* Payment of court costs* $100 to the victim compensation fund (per count)* $60,000 fine (per count) This comes more than six years after Aniah Blanchard’s disappearance in 2019. May her family continue to find closure, peace, and strength in the midst of an unimaginable loss. While nothing can lessen the pain of her absence, her case helped bring accountability to a dangerous man who may have caused even more harm to others. Though her life was taken far too soon, her story became a force for justice and protection, and her memory continues to matter. 🕊 Rest in peace, Aniah Blanchard, I Love You Always. ❤
On November 25, human remains were found in the woods in Macon County, as were articles of clothing matching what Aniah had been wearing when she disappeared. The remains were identified as Aniah Blanchard’s two days later. An autopsy found that she had been killed by a gunshot wound.
Since her tragic death, Aniah’s parents were vocal and dedicated proponents of Aniah’s Law. The bill sought to expand the list of serious crimes for which judges can deny bail, adding Class-A felonies, including murder, kidnapping, assault, sexual torture, rape, domestic violence, human trafficking, aggravated child abuse, and terrorism. In these cases, prosecutors can propose a hearing during which the defendant is allowed to testify and present or cross-examine witnesses. The judge can then choose to grant or deny bail based on the testimonies and evidence presented.
Aniah's Law was passed on November 8, 2022. Now judges across the state are using it to deny bail under Aniah's Law.
In the face of this tragedy, Aniah’s family and friends have found many other ways to honor her life, preserve her memory, and work toward making a difference for victims of violent crime and their families.
Aniah’s Heart is dedicated to supporting, educating, and spreading awareness among those who have been touched by violent crime as well as those who, thanks to the non-profit’s efforts, may never have to.
Aniah's mother, Angela Harris, and her older brother, Elijah Blanchard, continue to be an inspiration of strength to us all and a beacon of hope for their community. Together, they have started Angels of Empowerment. They have chosen a path to empower and help others with grief, trauma, victims of violent crimes, and abuse by taking what they have experienced and been through these last few years and guiding others to see their way through the dark and find the light on the other side. Please click on the name to visit their page. I hope that their guidance can give you some comfort in knowing you do not have to walk this alone. 🕊 UPDATE May 7, 2026 🕊 ❤ JUSTICE HAS FINALLY BEEN SERVED ❤ After nearly 6 years, A judge has sentenced Ibraheem Yazeed to life in prison on both counts, felony murder and murder, in the Aniah Blanchard case. This man is responsible for the kidnapping and murder of 19 year old Aniah Blanchard. Justice has prevailed, and the judge handed down what he believed was the appropriate sentence based on the verdict: two life sentences in prison. Yet even with this outcome, it can never feel fully fair. He is able to live out the last of his days while she was the one who received a death sentence. 36 year old Ibraheem Yazeed was convicted on March 19th 2025 of kidnapping and murdering Aniah. The Prosecutors revealed she was shot inside her own vehicle before her body was dumped in a wooded area. Yazeed was already out on bond for attempted murder, kidnapping, and robbery charges at the time of the crime. A beautiful young life was stolen but her story changed laws and may save countless others. Those sentences will run concurrently with each other, meaning he will serve them at the same time, but consecutively with any other sentence he may have. The judge also ordered:* Payment of court costs* $100 to the victim compensation fund (per count)* $60,000 fine (per count) This comes more than six years after Aniah Blanchard’s disappearance in 2019. May her family continue to find closure, peace, and strength in the midst of an unimaginable loss. While nothing can lessen the pain of her absence, her case helped bring accountability to a dangerous man who may have caused even more harm to others. Though her life was taken far too soon, her story became a force for justice and protection, and her memory continues to matter. 🕊 Rest in peace, Aniah Blanchard, I Love You Always. ❤
Since 2013, I have held a deep bond with Aniah's family, a connection that has flourished through our shared experiences at a local MMA gym in Vestavia Hills, AL. In moments when her parents were away for her step-dad's UFC events, I embraced the role of caretaker for her younger siblings. My son found joy in countless evenings spent at their home, forging a special connection with her brother and step-dad. Even in her absence, Aniah's spirit remains a source of inspiration and protection for many, embodied in Aniah's Law. Her life was a precious gift, destined to bring about change, illuminating the path of hope and justice. My dear girl, I love you, and you will forever reside in my heart, as I honor your memory in all my endeavors.
💙 You can support her non-profit by clicking on the link above in the heading.💙 💙Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity💙
💙 You can support her non-profit by clicking on the link above in the heading.💙 💙Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity💙