It took more than six years. But justice is now imminent. Former UFC fighter Walt Harris’ life turned upside down when his stepdaughter, 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, went missing in October 2019. Ibraheem Yazeed, the perpetrator, was initially charged with first-degree kidnapping in Blanchard’s disappearance.

But after Blanchard’s dead body was found in November 2019, a November 2022 grand jury indictment charged him with three counts of capital murder. Latest reports, however, confirm that the 36-year-old has been found guilty only on charges of murder and felony murder. This means Ibraheem Yazeed will avoid facing the death penalty. 

The trial lasted six days, featuring testimony and witness accounts presented before prosecutors. The defense delivered its closing statements on Tuesday, and the jury deliberated on Wednesday. The guilty verdict finally came on Thursday. Now, Yazeed’s sentencing is scheduled for May 7, where he could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

For Walt Harris, it’s been a troubling few years since his stepdaughter went missing in October 2019. After her disappearance, Blanchard was spotted on surveillance footage at a local convenience store in Auburn, Ala. Yazeed was also seen in the footage at the same time. An eyewitness even confirmed Yazeed as the man who forced Blanchard into her car against her will. 

Her car, a 2017 Honda CR-V, was recovered just two days later, with a severe amount of blood, which indicated Blanchard might not be alive anymore. After suspecting foul play, police arrested the 36-year-old in connection with Blanchard’s disappearance. It took until November for cops to discover Blanchard’s body.

She was found in a wooded area in Macon County, Ala, and immediately declared dead. After an autopsy was performed on Blanchard, the authorities confirmed that Harris’ stepdaughter died due to a gunshot wound. Prosecutors later revealed during the trial that Blanchard was shot in the passenger seat of her own car.

Yazeed later carried her out to the wooded area in Macon County, where he shot her again in the head. Notably, though, when the 36-year-old killed Blanchard, he was out on bail in connection with an accusation of another crime. This paved the way for ‘Aniah’s Law’ to be passed in Alabama in 2022, allowing judges to deny bond to defendants charged with violent crimes.

Before Walt Harris made his comeback in 2020, he admitted that the death of his 19-year-old stepdaughter had fueled him.

Walt Harris had warned of the dangers of fighting him after his stepdaughter’s death

Ahead of his 17 May 2020 comeback against Alistair Overeem, Harris made it clear that stepping into the Octagon against him after his personal tragedy would come with added danger. 

“She was probably my biggest fan,” he said, reflecting on her impact. “I feel like I’m being powered by a whole different source now.

“It’s a different fire right now for me… I know I’m doing something for her,” Harris explained. 

“Anybody who gets in the cage with me at this point, it’s dangerous for that person… you’re not going to just be fighting me. You’re going to be fighting me and her.”

For Harris, every fight now carries a deeper meaning. However, when fight night finally came, he lost via second-round knockout to Overeem. He fought two more times, but a win eluded him. Harris’ last outing was in June 2021, which he lost. 

After a difficult three-fight skid, Walt Harris may finally find a sense of justice, as the man responsible for the death of his late stepdaughter faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison. What do you make of this situation?