>> Reporter: WHEN YOUR SISTER, ANIAH, DROPPED YOU OFF THAT
EVENING, SHE DID INDICATE THAT SHE WOULDGIVE YOU A CALL WHEN
SHE GOT HOME, CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR.
SHE DID.
>> Reporter: AND?
>> PURE HELL.
JUST THE WORST FEELING, EVER, TONOT KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILD IS.
>> I MEAN, WE WERE DOINGEVERYTHING WE COULD AS PARENTS
IN THAT MOMENT TO TRY TO FINDHER.
>> 19-YEAR-OLD ANIAH HALEYBLANCHARD DISAPPEARED LAST WEEK.
>> ANIAH BLANCHARD WAS REPORTEDMISSING 11 DAYS AGO.
>> THERE'S BEEN NO TRACE OF HERSINCE SHE...
>> BLANCHARD IS THE STEPDAUGHTEROF U.F.C. FIGHTER WALT HARRIS.
>> WALT HARRIS!
>> WHEN SHE WAS MISSING,FIGHTING WAS THE FURTHEST THING
FROM MY MIND AT THAT POINT.
>> WE JUST WANT OUR DAUGHTERHOME.
WE WANT HER FOUND.
>> IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION,PLEASE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I WAS ALMOST A SHELL OF MYSELF.
YOU KNOW, HONESTLY, I DIDN'TEVEN KNOW IF I WOULD FIGHT
AGAIN.
BUT SHE ALWAYS WAS THE ONE THATWAS LIKE, "“DON'T STOP."
>> KEEP PUSHING, KEEP PUSHING.
>> YOU KNOW, "KEEP PUSHING, KEEPPUSHING.
I KNOW IT'S HARD."
EVERYTHING FOR ME, MOVINGFORWARD, IS ABOUT MAKING HER
PROUD.
I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR MY BABYGIRL.
>> SHE WAS A VERY HAPPY GIRLTHAT LOVED LIFE.
VERY LOVING AND GIVING.
SHE ALWAYS PUT OTHERS BEFOREHERSELF.
>> PEOPLE COULD JUST REALLYTELL, LIKE, THAT SHE HAD
SOMETHING ABOUT HER THAT WASSPECIAL.
THERE IS NOTHING ON MY MINDOTHER THAN FINDING ANIAH.
>> YOU DON'T SLEEP, YOU DON'TEAT, YOU'RE CONSTANTLY THINKING
ABOUT WHERE SHE IS, WHAT HASHAPPENED.
AND IT DOES NOT GO AWAY.
>> WE WERE JUST TRYING TO KEEPEACH OTHER SANE SO WE COULD KEEP
MOVING FORWARD.
>> SO, IT WAS A CONSTANT, "“GO,GO, GO.
WE'RE NOT STOPPING."”ANIAH, I LOVE YOU, AND MOMMY IS
NOT GOING TO GIVE UP 'TIL I FINDYOU.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING YOU HOME,ANIAH.
YOU'RE COMING HOME, SO DON'TWORRY.
>> ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! >> I HAD ANIAH ON MY BIRTHDAY,
JUNE 22.
THAT WAS JUST GOING TO BESOMETHING SO SPECIAL IN LIFE,
FOR SHE AND I TO SHARE THE SAMEBIRTHDAY.
>> ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! >> [ LAUGHS]
>> Reporter: HER LAUGH,INFECTIOUS.
HER SPIRIT, IRREPRESSIBLE.
ANIAH BLANCHARD WAS JUST 19 WHENSHE VANISHED, HER VIBRANT
PRESENCE REPLACED BY THETERRIFYING SILENCE OF HER
ABSENCE.
ANIAH'S MOTHER, ANGELA HARRIS:>> SHE JUST EMBRACED PEOPLE.
SHE JUST LOVED PEOPLE.
>> SHE WOULD WALK IN AND, NOMATTER HOW YOU FELT, HOW DOWN
YOU WERE, SHE COULD PICK YOU UP.
♪>> HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY!
>> Reporter: ANIAH'S STEPFATHER,U.F.C. HEAVYWEIGHT WALT HARRIS,
WAS A RISING STAR RANKED NINTHIN THE WORLD IN THE FALL OF
2019.
HE SAYS ANIAH CONSTANTLYINSPIRED HIM.
>> YOU KNOW, AFTER WINS, WE'DCELEBRATE.
IF IT'S A LOSS, SHE'D ALWAYSPICK ME UP.
AND SHE WAS ALWAYS THAT ROCK,THAT VOICE THAT KEPT ME GOING.
>> Reporter: ANIAH GREW UP INHOMEWOOD, ALABAMA, NEAR
BIRMINGHAM.
>> NOW UP TO BAT: NUMBER 22, ANIAH BLANCHARD!
[ APPLAUSE] >> Reporter: IT'S PRACTICALLY
LOCAL FOLKLORE THAT AFTER EVERYSCHOOL SOFTBALL GAME, ANIAH
INVITED THE OPPOSINGTEAM TO JOIN HERS ON THE PITCHER'S MOUND
TO SHARE HIGH FIVES AND THELORD'S PRAYER.
>> AND EVEN IF WE LOST, THEOTHER TEAM LOST, NO MATTER WHAT,
NO HARD FEELINGS.
I THINK THAT WAS HER WHOLETHING: THIS IS A WAY TO CONNECT
PEOPLE.
>> Reporter: LONGTIME FRIENDHANNAH CROCKER MET ANIAH IN THE
SIXTH GRADE.
>> SHE WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLETHAT JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT, "HEY, YOU'RE DOING OKAY.
IF NOT, LET ME HELP YOU OUT."
>> Reporter: DID FOLKS EVERTHINK YOU TWO MIGHT BE BOYFRIEND
AND GIRLFRIEND?
>> ALL THE TIME.
[ LAUGHS] "IS THIS YOUR GIRLFRIEND?"
I'M LIKE, "NO, THIS IS MYSISTER."
[ LAUGHS] >> Reporter: THEY WERE NEARLY
INSEPARABLE, SAYS ANIAH'S OLDERBROTHER, ELIJAH BLANCHARD.
>> WE GREW UP, YOU KNOW, 17MONTHS APART.
WE WERE ALWAYS TOGETHER, AND SHEEVEN FOLLOWED ME TO COLLEGE.
>> Reporter: ELIJAH HEADED OFFTO AUBURN UNIVERSITY IN 2017.
ANIAH ENROLLED AT NEARBYSOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE A YEAR LATER, FINDING ANAPARTMENT JUST MINUTES FROM HER
BROTHER.
>> I WOULD CALL HER EVERYMORNING...
SORRY, IT GETS KIND OF ROUGHSOMETIMES.
>> eporter: OCTOBER 23, 2019:ANIAH, ELIJAH AND THEIR MOM,
ANGELA, ATTENDED THE FUNERAL OFA FAMILY FRIEND IN NORTHERN
ALABAMA.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE,THE SIBLINGS HAD TO LEAVE.
BOTH HAD TO WORK THE NEXTMORNING BACK IN AUBURN 185 MILES
AWAY.
>> SHE LOOKED OVER AT ME.
SHE SAID, "HEY, MOM, WE REALLYNEED TO LEAVE NOW BECAUSE IT'S
GETTING LATE."
I SAID, "“YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT,IT'S 7:00, YOU'VE GOT A FOUR-
HOUR DRIVE."
AND THEN, SHE HUGGED ME, AND IKISSED HER ON THE CHEEK, AND I
TOLD HER I LOVED HER.
>> Reporter: DRIVING RIGHT PASTBIRMINGHAM, ANIAH AND ELIJAH
MADE A PIT STOP AT HOME TO SEETHEIR STEPFATHER, WALT.
HE WAS TRAINING FOR HIS NEXTFIGHT.
>> I DIDN'T EVER CALL THEM STEP-KIDS.
THEY WERE MY CHILDREN.
IT'S JUST THE WAY I SAW IT, YOUKNOW.
I LOVED THEM LIKE MY OWN.
>> Reporter: THE CHILDREN'SBIOLOGICAL FATHER, ELIJAH
BLANCHARD, SR., A LOCAL PASTORAND BUSINESSMAN, REMAINED A
CLOSE PRESENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
HE AND ANGELA DIVORCED IN 2004.
SOON, SHE STARTED DATING WALTHARRIS.
AND THEN, HE MET ANIAH ANDELIJAH, JR. FOR THE FIRST TIME.
YOU CAME INTO HER LIFE AROUNDAGE THREE.
TELL US ABOUT HOW THAT BONDINGPROCESS WENT.
>> I THINK IT STARTED DAY ONE.
MAN, WE DID EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
>> IT WAS BEAUTIFUL FOR ME TOWATCH THEIR BOND GROW OVER THE
YEARS.
>> THEY LOVED ME LIKE THEY KNEWME THEIR WHOLE LIVES.
WE JUST FELT LIKE A LITTLEFAMILY.
>> Reporter: WALT AND ANGELAMADE IT OFFICIAL, GETTING
MARRIED IN JANUARY 2010.
THEY EVENTUALLY HAD TWO CHILDRENOF THEIR OWN, ASAH AND AYLAH.
>> HE WAS WITH THEM MORE THAN IWAS BECAUSE I WORKED A LOT.
>> Reporter: ANGELA, A PEDIATRICEMERGENCY ROOM NURSE, WORKED
NIGHTS AT A BIRMINGHAM HOSPITAL,SO IT WAS ANIAH WHO HELPED WALT
WITH THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.
>> IT WAS ME AND ANIAH.
SHE HELPED ME BASICALLY RAISEHER LITTLE BROTHER AND SISTER.
COMING FROM A STRONG CHRISTIANBACKGROUND, I WANTED TO BE A
GOOD INFLUENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
>> Reporter: THE KIDS CERTAINLYLOOK UP TO THEIR DAD.
AT 6'5"”, 250 POUNDS, WALT HARRISHAS BEEN A TOWERING PRESENCE IN
THEIR LIVES...
>> WALT "THE BIG TICKET" HARRIS!
>> Reporter: ...AND IN THE BRUISING OCTAGON CAGE OF THE
ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP,THE U.F.C.
>> MAN, EVERYTHING HE THROWS ISHARD!
[ AUDIENCE REACTS] >> Reporter: WIN, LOSE OR DRAW,
WALT'S FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BEEN INHIS CORNER.
>> MY FAMILY'S ALWAYS BEEN THEREASON WHY I FIGHT, AND THEY'VE
ALWAYS BEEN THE REASON WHY I GETBACK UP.
AND ANIAH, SHE WAS THE MAINCATALYST FOR THAT.
>> Reporter: AFTER THE FUNERAL,ANIAH AND ELIJAH'S VISIT WITH
WALT WAS ALL TOO SHORT.
A BRIEF TALK, A LONG HUG, ANDTHEY WERE BACK ON THE ROAD TO
AUBURN STILL ABOUT TWO HOURSAWAY.
WHEN THEY LEFT, WALT SAYS HEWAS LEFT WITH A GROWING SENSE OF
REGRET.
>> [ SIGHS] I STRUGGLE WITH IT EVERY DAY.
I SHOULD HAVE JUST TOLD THEM TOSTAY BECAUSE I FELT LIKE SHE WAS
TIRED.
I REMEMBER SHE SAID, "“NO, I'MFINE, DAD.
I-- I'LL BE FINE."
THEN, I HUGGED HER AND TOLD HERI LOVE HER, AND THAT WAS IT.
>> Reporter: THEY MADE THE DRIVEWITHOUT INCIDENT, ARRIVING IN
AUBURN AROUND 11:00 P.M.
ANIAH DROPPED OFF ELIJAH AT HISAPARTMENT.
>> SO, I JUST SAID I LOVE HER,"BE CAREFUL, AND MAKE SURE YOU
GET HOME SAFE."”>> SO, AT 11:09 P.M., I TEXTED
HER AND SAID, "“ARE YOU CLOSE TOBEING HOME?"”
SHE RESPONDED RIGHT BACK,"“YEAH."”
>> Reporter: ANIAH'S COLLEGEROOMMATE, SARAH O'BRIEN:
>> SHE ALWAYS LET ME KNOW WHERESHE WAS AT AND WHEN SHE WOULD BE
HOME.
WE ACTUALLY SHARED EACH OTHER'SLOCATION ON OUR iPHONE.
>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSESARAH SAYS ANIAH HAD A DEEP-
ROOTED FEAR.
>> SINCE THE DAY I MET ANIAH,SHE ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS
HER BIGGEST FEAR, TO BEKIDNAPPED OR MURDERED.
LIKE, AS SOON AS SHE WALKED IN,SHE WOULD CHECK EVERY ROOM.
SHE WOULD TELL ME MULTIPLETIMES, LIKE, SHE HAD NIGHTMARES
ABOUT IT HAPPENING TO HER.
>> YOU KNOW, SHE REALLY NEVERWENT ANYWHERE BY HERSELF AT
NIGHT.
>> Reporter: BUT THAT NIGHT,AFTER DROPPING OFF HER BROTHER,
SHE WASALONE WITH JUST THREE MILES TO GO.
THAT'S HOW FAR AWAY SHE ANDSARAH LIVED FROM ELIJAH-- THREE
MILES, NORMALLY A TEN-MINUTEDRIVE.
BUT NEARLY 30MINUTES LATER, ANIAH HAD NOT COME HOME.
SARAH TEXTED AGAIN.
>> "“DID YOU GO OUT WITHOUT ME?"”>> Reporter: ABOUT A MINUTE
LATER CAME THE REPLY.
>> "“I'M SMOKING A BLUNT, LOL."”>> Reporter: IT WAS THE WORD"“
BLUNT,"” SARAH SAYS, THATSTOPPED HER.
SHE HAD NEVER HEARD ANIAH USEIT.
>> I SAID, "“WHO ARE YOU SMOKINGWITH?"”"“
ERIC."”I SAID, "“WHO'S THAT?"”"“
I JUST MET HIM."”AND I RESPONDED WITH, "“WHERE?"”
>> Reporter: IT WAS 11:43 P.M.
THERE WOULD NOTBE ANOTHER RESPONSE.
SARAH CHECKED HER CELLPHONE ONELAST TIME FOR ANIAH'S LOCATION.
SHE APPEARED TO BE AT A NEARBYAPARTMENT COMPLEX WHERE LOTS OF
STUDENTS LIVED.
SARAH WENT TO BED, SHE SAYS,THINKING ANIAH WAS HANGING OUT
WITH FRIENDS.
>> Reporter: THE NEXT MORNING,OCTOBER 24, ANGELA HARRIS TOOK
HER CHILDREN TO SCHOOL ANDREACHED OUT TO ANIAH TO TALK.
IT WAS THEIR EARLY MORNINGRITUAL.
>> WE FACETIMED EVERY MORNING.
THAT WAS KIND OF OUR THING,LIKE, "GOOD MORNING, WHAT ARE
YOU DOING?
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THEDAY?
SO, WHEN I CALLED HER AT 8:00A.M. AND SHE DIDN'T ANSWER THE
FACETIME, I THOUGHT, "OKAY,WELL, YOU KNOW, SHE'S BUSY, SO
I'LL GIVE HER A LITTLE BITLONGER."
>> Reporter: SARAH WAS EAGER TOHEAR ABOUT ERIC, THE MYSTERY MAN
ANIAH MET THE NIGHT BEFORE.
SHE WENT STRAIGHT TO ANIAH'SBEDROOM.
>> AND SHE WASN'T THERE.
SHE WOULD ALWAYS COME HOME.
SHE WOULDN'T SPEND THE NIGHTWITH ANYONE SHE HAD JUST MET.
>> Reporter: SARAH GLANCED HERCELL PHONE, LOOKING FOR ANIAH'S
LATEST LOCATION, BUT THERE WASNONE.
ANIAH'S PHONE HAD GONE DARK.
WHEN DID CONCERN TURN TO WORRYFOR YOU, SARAH?
>> WHEN I CALLED HER-- THE LADYTHAT SHE BABYSAT FOR AND SHE
HADN'T SHOWN UP THAT MORNING,BECAUSE SHE NEVER MISSES A DAY
TO BABYSIT THOSE KIDS.
SHE LOVED THEM.
>> SHE WAS LIKE A MOTHER TO MYKIDS.
>> Reporter: CORRINA THOMAS, THEWORKING MOTHER WHO DEPENDED ON
ANIAH, SAID SHE WAS THE MOSTRELIABLE NANNY SHE EVER HAD.
>> AMAZING.
[ LAUGHS] I-- I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO
EXPLAIN IT.
LIKE, EVERY GOOD QUALITY THATYOU WANT IN A PERSON, SHE HAD.
LIKE, EVERY-- EVERYTHING.
>> SHE NEVER ONCE, NEVER ONCEDIDN'T SHOW UP TO TAKE CARE OF
THOSE KIDS.
>> AND THAT'S WHEN I HOPPED INTHE CAR TO LOOK FOR ANIAH'S CAR.
THE LONGER I DROVE, THE MOREWORRIED I GOT.
I DIDN'T SEE ANY TRACE OF HER ATALL.
>> Reporter: SARAH DECIDED TOGET ANIAH'S BROTHER AND TAKE A
SECOND LOOK.
>> HER ROOMMATE CALLS ME ANDTOLD ME THAT ANIAH NEVER EVEN
CAME HOME LAST NIGHT, ANIAH'SMISSING.
>> AND THEN, I TOLD HIM WHAT SHESAID ABOUT ERIC AND THAT SHE WAS
WITH HIM, AND HE WAS LIKE, "NO,SHE DIDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING
ABOUT THAT."
>> AND MY HEART KIND OF JUSTSANK.
AND THIS WAS COMPLETELY OUT OFHER CHARACTER.
THIS ISN'T ANIAH.
ANIAH WOULDN'T HAVE RUN AWAY.
>> IMMEDIATELY, I CALL MYPARENTS, AND I WAS LIKE, "UH,
ANIAH'S MISSING."
>> AND HE SAYS, "MOM, WE CAN'TFIND ANIAH."
AND I SAID, "SON, WHAT ARE YOUTALKING ABOUT, YOU CAN'T FIND
HER?"HE SAID, "NO, MOM, I-- I'M IN
HER APARTMENT, AND WE CAN'T FINDANIAH."
>> Reporter: IMMEDIATELYALARMED, ANGELA AND WALT TOOK
OFF FOR ANIAH'S APARTMENT TWOEXCRUCIATING HOURS AWAY.
>> WE JUST GOT IN HIS TRUCK ANDJUST FLEW TO AUBURN.
ALL TYPES OF THINGS ARE GOINGTHROUGH OUR HEAD-- WHAT'S
HAPPENED, WHAT'S GOING ON, ANDPURE HELL.
>> Reporter: WALT, HOW DID YOUPROCESS ALL OF THIS WHEN YOU
FOUND OUT YOUR DAUGHTER WASMISSING?
>> THAT DRIVE TO AUBURN WAS THEHARDEST-- THE HARDEST THING I'VE
EVER BEEN THROUGH IN MY LIFEBECAUSE I KNEWSOMETHING WASN'T
RIGHT.
>> Reporter: ELIJAH DECIDED TOCHECK WITH CORRINA THOMAS AGAIN;
MAYBE ANIAH SHOWED UP.
>> I WASN'T WORRIED UNTIL--UNTIL HER BROTHER MESSAGED ME.
>> "HEY, I'M ANIAH'S BROTHER.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HEARDFROM MY SISTER TODAY?"
>> "“NO, I HAVEN'T.
I CALLED HER A BUNCH OF TIMESTHIS MORNING, AND SHE MISSED
PICKING UP THE KIDS THISMORNING."”
>> "YES, I'M AT HER APARTMENTRIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHEREFOR HER AND CAN'T FIND HER."
>> Reporter: AND ANIAH NEVER LEFT HER DOG, BLOO, ALONE
OVERNIGHT.
>> THAT WAS HER BABY.
WE JUST KNEW WHEN WE GET TO HERAPARTMENT THAT, WAIT, THERE'S
SOMETHING REALLY BAD WRONG HERE.
>> Reporter: WORD QUICKLY SPREADTO ANIAH'S FRIENDS.
>> AND I WAS LIKE, "WHAT?
I WAS JUST TALKING TO HER LASTNIGHT.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"I MEAN, I LIVE THREE HOURS AWAY
FROM HER.
I WAS LIKE, "I DON'T KNOW WHERESHE IS."
>> Reporter: HANNAH CROCKERDROPPED EVERYTHING AND HEADED TO
ANIAH'S APARTMENT.
>> ONCE IT WAS 24 HOURS, I WASLIKE, "THAT'S NOTANIAH."
IN MY HEART, I WAS LIKE, "SHE'SA FEMALE, SOMETHING HAPPENED."
>> AUBURN IS A COLLEGE TOWN, ANDIT'S A VERY SAFE PLACE.
>> Reporter: LEE COUNTY DISTRICTATTORNEY BRANDON HUGHES:
>> THIS, FROM THE VERY BEGINNINGFELT VERY DIFFERENTLY, YOU KNOW,
BASED ON THE INFORMATION WE HAD.
IT JUST DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THISWAS A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO
DECIDED TO LEAVE AND BLOW OFFSOME STEAM.
THAT JUST WASN'T HERPERSONALITY.
THAT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING SHEWOULD HAVE DONE.
>> Reporter: ANIAH'SDISAPPEARANCE WAS BREAKING NEWS.
>> RIGHT NOW, THE SEARCHCONTINUES FOR A MISSING 19-YEAR-
OLD.
THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ANIAHBLANCHARD.
>> IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATIONON WHERE SHE IS, CALL AUBURN
POLICE.
>> IF YOU HAVE ANY LEADS ONWHERE OUR DAUGHTER IS, ANIAH
BLANCHARD, PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE GO TO THE AUTHORITIES,
TELL SOMEONE.
SHE WAS LAST SEEN IN A BLACKHONDA C.R.V., 2017.
>> PLEASE, IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING,WE HAVE TO HAVE HER BACK.
WE HAVE TO HAVE HER BACK.
>> Reporter: OCTOBER 25.
WITH ANIAH GONE FOR TWO DAYS,HER HONDA WAS SPOTTED IN AN
APARTMENT COMPLEX IN MONTGOMERY,ALABAMA, 55 MILES FROM AUBURN,
ANDIT WAS BADLY DAMAGED.
WORSE STILL, THERE WAS NOSIGN OF ANIAH.
CORRINA THOMAS HAD TO BREAK THENEWS TO HER CHILDREN.
>> AND THEY SAID ANIAH'SMISSING, AND-- AND THEN THEY
CRIED.
>> Reporter: AND THEN, THEY CAMEUP WITH THEIR OWNPLAN TO HELP
FIND HER.
>> THEY GOT THEIR TABLETS, "HEY,GOOGLE, HOW MANY HOUSES ARE IN
MONTGOMERY?"AND I WAS LIKE, "WHY ARE YOU
LOOKING THAT UP?"AND HE SAID, "BECAUSE WE GOT TO
GO SEE HOW MANY HOUSES WE HAVETO GO LOOK FOR HER AT."
THEY-- THEY JUST WANTED TO FINDHER.
>> Reporter: BUT NOTHING ANYONEDID LED TO AN ANIAH SIGHTING.
THEN, A FEW DAYS AFTER SHEDISAPPEARED, POLICE DISCOVERED
THAT AFTER ANIAH DROPPED OFF HERBROTHER, SHE STOPPED AT THISGAS
STATION JUST TWO MINUTES FROMHER HOME.
>> IT'S A CHEVRON GAS STATION ONCOLLEGE STREET.
ANIAH ENTERED THE CHEVRON GASSTATION APPROXIMATELY 11:21 IN
THE EVENING ON THE NIGHT OFOCTOBER 23, AND SHE STAYED THERE
APPROXIMATELY A MINUTE AND AHALF TO TWO MINUTES BEFORE SHE
LEFT.
>> Reporter: ANIAH BOUGHT A BAGOF SOUR CREAM AND ONION POTATO
CHIPS AND A DRINK.
>> THAT WAS HER THING EVERYNIGHT.
EVEN AT HOME, GROWING UP, SHEWOULD SNACK RIGHT BEFORE BED.
>> WE NEEDED TO KNOW IF ANYBODYSAW ANYTHING.
WHAT WAS SHE DOING?
DID SHE LEAVE WITH ANYBODY?
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORSZEROED IN ON THE CHEVRON GAS
STATION WHERE ANIAH WAS LASTSEEN ON VIDEO BEFORE SHE
DISAPPEARED.
THEY WERE LOOKING FOR ANYLEADS TO WHERE SHE MIGHT BE.
>> ♪ PRAISE GOD!
PRAISE GOD!
PRAISE GOD! ♪>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY OF
HOMEWOOD, WHERE SHE GREW UP,PRAYED FOR ANIAH'S SAFE RETURN.
>> ♪ YOU HOLD HER HAND. >> Reporter: RIBBONS AND BOWS IN
ANIAH'S FAVORITE COLOR APPEAREDEVERYWHERE.
>> IT HAS ROCKED US TO OUR CORE.
IT IS ONE OF OURS.
>> COME HOME, ANIAH!
>> Reporter: AND WHEN THEYWEREN'T PRAYING FOR HER, THEY
WERE OUT TRYING TO FIND HER.
>> PRETTY QUICKLY, PEOPLE CAMETOGETHER, JUST LIKE, "HEY, LET'S
DO SEARCHES HERE, LET'S DOSEARCHERS THERE."
>> WE WOULD GO IN THE WOODS.
WE WOULD GO BEHIND PEOPLE'SHOUSES.
WE WOULD GO IN ALLEYWAYS.
>> WE DROVE MY TRUCK INBACKWOODS.
WE WERE ALL IN PEOPLE'S YARDS.
WE MUST HAVE CANVASSED FROMAUBURN TO TUSKEGEE, JUST ME AND
HER, WITHIN THE FIRST TWO ORTHREE DAYS.
>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATIONQUICKLY EXPANDED ACROSS SEVERAL
COUNTIES, ESPECIALLY AFTERANIAH'S CAR WAS FOUND 55 MILES
AWAY IN MONTGOMERY.
>> YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THEREWERE JUST MASSIVE AREAS THAT WE
HAD TO SEARCH.
THERE WERE DOZENS OF AGENCIES--STATE AGENCIES, COUNTY AGENCIES,
LOCAL AGENCIES, FEDERALAGENCIES-- HUGE TASK FORCE.
>> Reporter: AND REWARD MONEYPOURED IN.
U.F.C. PRESIDENT DANA WHITE ANDLIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION JON
JONES EACH CONTRIBUTED $25,000.
>> IT'S A PAIN.
IT'S ANXIETY.
IT'S JUST SO MANY EMOTIONS.
YOU'RE TRYING TO HOLD HOPE THATSOMETHING POSITIVE IS GOING TO
COME OUT OF IT, BUT, AS THE DAYSGO ON, YOUR-- YOUR HOPE JUST
STARTS TO DWINDLE AND DWINDLE.
>> Reporter: NOW MISSING EIGHTDAYS, HOPE WAS DEALT A MAJOR
BLOW.
>> TONIGHT, POLICE IN AUBURN,ALABAMA, SAY THERE'S EVIDENCE A
MISSING COLLEGE STUDENT IS AVICTIM OF FOUL PLAY.
>> EVIDENCE FROM WITHIN HERVEHICLE IS THE REASON THAT WE
ARE AWARE THAT, YOU KNOW, SHEWAS HARMED.
AND WE DO CONSIDER THIS A-- ACASE WHERE THERE IS FOUL PLAY
INVOLVED.
>> Reporter: POLICE WOULD NOT SAY WHAT THEY FOUND, BUT ANIAH'S
BIOLOGICAL FATHER, ELIJAHBLANCHARD, SR., WAS NOT READY TO
GIVE UP.
>> THAT WAS HARD FOR US.
I'M A MAN OF FAITH, AND,REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE POLICE
SAY, I STILL HAVE HOPE THAT MYANIAH IS OUT THERE WAITING FOR
HER FATHER TO GET HER.
>> Reporter: ANIAH'SDISAPPEARANCE WAS TAKING MORE
THAN AN EMOTIONAL TOLL ON WALTHARRIS.
HE IMMEDIATELYCANCELED HIS UPCOMING FIGHT.
ANIAH WAS THE ONLY THINGEVERYONE'S MIND.
>> I WASN'T ABLE TO FOCUS ATALL.
IT WAS CHAOS.
THERE WAS SADNESS.
I JUST WANTED TO BE THERE FOR MYFAMILY.
IT'S LIKE A DARK ABYSS.
YOU'RE FIGHTING THAT OFF.
>> Reporter: THEN, AFTER 14DAYS, THE POLICE ANNOUNCED THEY
WANTED THISMAN.
HE WAS SEEN AT THE GAS STATION STORE AT THE SAME TIME ANIAH WAS
THERE.
AN EYEWITNESS SAID HE THOUGHT HESAW HIM FORCE ANIAH INTO HER CAR
BEFORE THEY DROVE OFF TOGETHER.
>> THIS IS A PERSON OF INTEREST.
ANYONE WHO SEES HIM IS ASKED TOCALL 911.
>> Reporter: SOMEONE DID, ANDTHE MAN THE POLICE WERE LOOKING
FOR WAS NOTNAMED ERIC.
HE WAS IBRAHEEM YAZEED, A 30- YEAR-OLD FROM MONTGOMERY, AND HE
HAD A LENGTHY ARREST RECORD.
>> HE SHOULD BE CONSIDEREDDANGEROUS AND WOULD BE
POTENTIALLY ARMED.
>> Reporter: POLICE SAID YAZEEDWAS CHARGED EARLIER THAT YEAR
WITH KIDNAPPING, ROBBING ANDNEARLY BEATING A 77-YEAR-OLD MAN
TO DEATH.
HE WAS ALSO ACCUSED OF ROBBINGAND BEATING A SECOND MAN.
DESPITE THE SERIOUS CHARGES, HEWAS FREE ON BOND AND HAD BEEN
STAYING IN A HOTEL NEAR THECHEVRON GAS STATION.
>> HOW IS THIS PERSON FREE TOWALK INTO A GAS STATION?
HOW IS HE JUST MINUTES DOWN THEROAD FROM ME?
HOW IS HE IN THE SAME GASSTATION AS MY BEST FRIEND?
>> Reporter: BUT HE WAS,AND THAT WAS AT 11:22 P.M.
ANIAH'S CAR WAS NEXT SEEN A FEWMINUTES LATER AT ANOTHER NEARBY
GAS STATION, WHERE YAZEED BOUGHTA SMALL CIGAR.
IT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE THANAN HOUR BEFORE A LICENSE PLATE
READER PICKED UP ANIAH'S HONDANEAR THE ENTRANCE TO I-85,
HEADING SOUTH TOWARDSMONTGOMERY.
ANIAH'S PARENTS CLUNG TO HOPE,AND THEY HAD FAITH THAT THEIR
DAUGHTER WOULDBE FOUND ALIVE.
THEY EVEN PRAYED FOR YAZEED.
>> YOU CAN STOP NOW.
YOU CAN-- YOU CAN CHANGE THIS.
YOU CAN LET HER GO.
GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU.
>> Reporter: POLICE CAPTURED YAZEED THE FOLLOWING DAY HIDING
IN THE WOODS 145 MILES AWAY INANOTHER STATE.
POLICE SAY HE DID NOTSURRENDER PEACEFULLY.
>> 30-YEAR-OLD IBRAHEEM YAZEEDWAS ARRESTED OVERNIGHT IN
FLORIDA ON THE CHARGE OFKIDNAPPING IN THE FIRST-DEGREE.
>> Reporter: YAZEED APPEARED INA FLORIDA COURT THE NEXT DAY
WITH A SWOLLEN LEFT EYE, ANDCOURT DOCUMENTS FINALLY REVEALED
WHAT POLICE FOUND IN THE CAR.
IT WAS BLOOD, AND A LOT OF IT.
>> COURT DOCUMENTS TODAY SAYBLOOD THAT WAS DISCOVERED IN
ANIAH BLANCHARD'S CAR WAS"“INDICATIVE OF SOMEONE SUFFERING
A LIFE-THREATENING INJURY."
>> Reporter: YAZEED WAIVEDEXTRADITION TO LEE COUNTY,
ALABAMA, WHERE ANGELA AND WALTHARRIS WOULD BE WAITING, HOPING
TO FIND OUT WHERE THEIR DAUGHTERWAS.
>> Reporter: THE HARRISES WERECOMMITTED TO FACING YAZEED
WHENEVER HE APPEARED IN COURT,AND EACH TIME FELT LIKE THE
FIRST TIME.
AS A FATHER, AS A GUY, I'MIMAGINING AS WELL WHAT MIGHT
HAVE BEEN COURSING THROUGH YOURVEINS.
THEN, YOU SEE HIM, MR. YAZEED,LOOKING BACK AT YOU GUYS.
>> ANGER.
I REMEMBER SH-- SHAKING.
I WANTED TO CLIMB ACROSS THE--THE BARRICADE.
IT MADE ME REALLY ANGRY BECAUSEHE WAS JUST KIND OF SMUG, LIKE,
"YOU-- YOU-- YOU'RE TOUGH, I'MTOUGH, TOO," YOU KNOW.
LIKE HE WAS CHALLENGING ME,ALMOST.
>> Reporter: IT TOOK ALL OFWALT'S TRAINING IN THE RING AND
ANGELA'S STEADY HAND TO KEEP HIMFROM RIPPING INTO YAZEED.
>> SHE GRABBED ME, AND SHE SAID,"JUST BREATHE."
AND I JUST STARTED TRYING TOHEAR HER VOICE BECAUSE I COULD
NOT-- I WOULDN'T TAKE MY EYESOFF OF HIM, LIKE, "OKAY, WHO'S
GOING TO LOOK AWAY FIRST" TYPEOF DEAL.
>> Reporter: ANGELA, HOW DID YOU STAY COMPOSED?
>> I WANTED HIM TO KNOW THAT I'M REPRESENTING MY DAUGHTER AND
THAT I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
WE'RE RIGHT HERE, AND WE'REGOING TO FIGHT THIS ALL THE WAY
THROUGH.
>> Reporter: YAZEED MAINTAINEDHIS INNOCENCE, AND THE BURDEN TO
FIND ANIAH MOUNTED.
>> EVERYBODY WAS ON EDGE BECAUSETHERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE.
THERE'S PRESSURE TO-- TO FINDTHIS LITTLE GIRL.
>> Reporter: ANGELA AND WALTHARRIS PUBLICIZED THEIR
DAUGHTER'S DISAPPEARANCE ON "DR.
PHIL."
>> I LOVE YOU, BABY GIRL.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WECAN, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU.
I PROMISE.
>> AND THEY'RE ON TELEVISION,THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING YOU
CAN, BUT, UP TO THIS POINT, ITHASN'T BEEN ENOUGH.
>> Reporter: BY THEN, THE D.A.,ANGELA AND WALT HAD GROWN CLOSE.
>> "IF YOU WANT TO CALL UP, GETFRUSTRATED AND YELL AT ME FOR AN
HOUR, CRY WITH ME FOR AN HOUR,I'M THERE."
AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE DOING.
>> Reporter: A MONTH AFTER ANIAHWENT MISSING, THE D.A. HAD NEWS.
AUTHORITIES NOW BELIEVED THAT THISMAN, ANTWAIN FISHER, WHO
ONCE SERVED TIME FOR MURDER,HELPED YAZEED DISPOSE OF
EVIDENCE.
HE WAS CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING.
HE SOON COOPERATED, PROVIDING AROADMAP TO ANIAH.
>> ANIAH'S REMAINS WERE LOCATEDIN MACON COUNTY, ALABAMA, WHICH
IS BETWEEN AUBURN ANDMONTGOMERY.
OBVIOUSLY, WE-- WE DIDN'T KNOWTO A 100% CERTAINTY THAT THAT'S
WHO IT WAS.
YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SEVERALITEMS OF CLOTHING OUT THERE.
I SAW A BOOT.
I TOOK A PHOTOGRAPH OF IT.
>> Reporter: HUGHES ASKED THEHARRISES TO MEET AT THE D.A.'S
OFFICE.
>> AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHYTHEY'RE THERE.
I SHOWED THE HARRISES THEPHOTOGRAPH.
>> Reporter: THE SOREL BOOTS,LIKE THIS ONE, WERE A GIFT FROM
WALT WHEN THE FAMILY VISITED NEWYORK CITY.
>> WALT LOOKED AT THE PHONE.
HE JUST DROPS IT ON THE TABLEAND SAID, "Y'ALL EXCUSE ME."
MY WIFE HAD COME UP THERE, ANDSHE WAS COMING UP THE BACK
STAIRWELL.
SHE SAID SHE SAW WALT JUSTPUNCHING THE WALL.
I MEAN, THIS IS A CONCRETE WALL.
HE'S SCREAMING AND JUST PUNCHINGTHIS WALL.
THAT'S HARD.
>> Reporter: TALK ABOUT A PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE WHEN
HER BODY WAS FOUND.
>> [ SIGHS] IMMEDIATELY, I JUST WANTED TO
ACTUALLY KNOW IF I CAN SEE MYCHILD.
I-- I JUST WANT TO SEE HER.
YOU KNOW, WE WERE TOLD NO.
I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO ONANYMORE.
>> Reporter: WALT?
>> BROKEN.
CONFUSED.
ANGRY.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHY ANDWHAT HAPPENED.
>> Reporter: HUGHES AND THEPOLICE RETURNED TO THE WOODS TO
SEARCH FOR MORE EVIDENCE.
>> JUST LITERALLY CRAWLING ONHANDS AND KNEES, LOOKING FOR
EVIDENCE, LOOKING FOR ANYTHINGTHAT WE COULD FIND.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT THEY FOUNDHELPED THE HARRISES FINALLY
LEARN WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIRBELOVED ANIAH.
>> Reporter: A BLOOD-SOAKEDPASSENGER SEAT, A BULLET HOLE IN
THE DOOR-- THE EVIDENCE TELLS ASTORY OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ANIAH
THAT NIGHT.
INVESTIGATORS AREN'T CERTAIN HOWYAZEED ENDED UP INSIDE THE CAR
WITH ANIAH.
DID HE ASK FOR A RIDE?
DID HE FORCE HER?
BUT THE DAMAGE OUTSIDESUGGESTS THERE WAS A STRUGGLE AT SOME
POINT AS THE CAR WAS MOVING.
INVESTIGATORS SAY YAZEED SHOTANIAH AS SHE TRIED TO ESCAPE.
>> ANIAH BLANCHARD WAS KILLED INTHE MANNER OF HOMICIDE.
THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS A GUNSHOTWOUND.
>> Reporter: WAS YOUR FAITHSHAKEN, ROCKED?
>> TO HAVE OUR ANGEL TAKEN LIKETHAT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHY GOD
WOULD ALLOW IT.
>> Reporter: BUT WALT ULTIMATELYFOUND COMFORT IN HIS FAITH.
>> IT BROUGHT ME BACK.
IT'S HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THATGOD DIDN'T DO THIS.
>> Reporter: AND ON DECEMBER 2,2019, DISTRICT ATTORNEY HUGHES
ANNOUNCED THE PERSON RESPONSIBLEWAS IBRAHEEM YAZEED.
HE WAS NOW BEING CHARGED WITHCAPITAL MURDER.
>> WE'LL ALSO BE SEEKING THEDEATH PENALTY.
>> Reporter: TWO DAYS LATER, THEHARRISES WERE IN COURT WHEN
YAZEED FOUGHT BACK.
>> I GOT RIGHTS, TOO.
SO, Y'ALL HAVE NO VIDEO, NOAUDIO OF ME SHOOTING ANYONE.
THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO SEE HOWY'ALL GOING TO BIND ME OVER ON
HEARSAY, BUT Y'ALL AIN'TPRESENTING NO EVIDENCE.
>> Reporter: YAZEED SEEMEDPLEASED WHEN HE WAS DONE.
>> THE ATTITUDE, THE SMIRKS, THELOOKS.
[ SIGHS] WOW.
>> Reporter: BUT MAYBE THE MOSTDAMNING EVIDENCE AGAINST YAZEED
COMES FROM ANTWAIN FISHER.
REMEMBER, HE WAS FACING CHARGESOF HELPING YAZEED.
THOSE CHARGES WERE DROPPED.
FISHER TOLD POLICE THAT JUSTHOURS AFTER ANIAH DISAPPEARED,
YAZEED SHOWED UP IN MONTGOMERYLOOKING FOR HELP, AND HE WAS
DRIVING WHAT LOOKEDLIKE ANIAH'S BLACK HONDA.
FISHER SAID HE FOLLOWED YAZEEDTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, THE
SAME COMPLEX WHERE POLICE WOULDFIND ANIAH'S HONDA.
YAZEED THEN GOT INTO THE TRUCKFISHER WAS DRIVING, SAYS LEAD
DETECTIVE JOSH MIXON.
>> THEY ENDED UP BEHIND A CHURCHNEAR A CEMETERY.
AND WHEN HE LOOKED IN THEREARVIEW MIRROR, HE SAW YAZEED
DRAGGING SOMETHING WRAPPED IN ACOMFORTER.
IT APPEARED TO BE TWO LEGS.
HE DRAGGED IT IN THE WOODS, COMEBACK, GOT IN THE VEHICLE, AND HE
SAID, "TELL ME THAT'S NOT ABODY."
>> Reporter: FISHER SAYS YAZEEDTOLD HIM HE SHOT A GIRL "“WHEN
SHE WENT FOR THE GUN."”>> WOW.
IT'S INDESCRIBABLE HOW SOMEONECOULD ACTUALLY DO THOSE THINGS
TO MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, ANDIT'S SO TRAUMATIZING TO THINK
ABOUT WHAT SHE WENT THROUGH.
>> HEARING IT IN GRAVE DETAIL,IT WAS PAINFUL.
>> Reporter: AND THEN, THEHARRISES WOULD LEARN THAT
YAZEED, IN ADDITION TO BEINGCHARGED WITH NEARLY BEATING AN
ELDERLY MAN TO DEATH, WAS ALSO BEING CHARGED WITH SHOOTING TWO
OTHER PEOPLE THE YEAR BEFOREHE'S ACCUSED OF KILLING ANIAH.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEEHAPPEN?
>> JUSTICE.
>> DEFINITELY JUSTICE.
I WANT JUSTICE FOR MY DAUGHTER.
>> Reporter: BUT JUSTICE HASBEEN DELAYED.
THE PANDEMIC HAS SLOWED ALL OFYAZEED'S CRIMINAL CASES, AND HIS
LAWYER DECLINED TO BEINTERVIEWED.
WALT, WHO HAD CONSIDERED ENDINGHIS CAREER, FOUND INSPIRATION
WHEN ANIAH CAME TO HIM IN ADREAM.
>> SHE WAS SITTING IN OUR LIVINGROOM, AND THERE WAS JUST A BEAM
OF LIGHT ON HER.
AND SHE HAD HER ARMS OUT, AND IHUGGED HER, AND SHE SAID, "KEEP
GOING."
AND I JUST WOKE UP, LIKE, WITH ARENEWED VIGOR.
I FELT FRESH.
>> ONE, TWO, THREE...
>> KEEP PUSHING.
>> ...FOUR.
>> Reporter: INSPIRED BY ANIAH,WALT HARRIS BRAVELY RETURNED TO
THE RING.
INCREDIBLY, A FIGHT WASSCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 24, THE
ANNIVERSARY OF ANIAH'S MURDER.
>> WHEN HE FIRST TOLD ME, ISAID, "ARE YOU SURE?"
HE SAID, "I'M SURE."
AND SO, I KNEW HOW IMPORTANTTHAT THIS WAS TO HIM AND HOW
IMPORTANT THAT THIS WOULD BE TOHER, TO ANIAH, AND THAT SHE
WOULD WANT HIM TO DO IT.
>> Reporter: WALT FLEW TO ABUDHABI AND SPENT TWO WEEKS IN
QUARANTINE, TRAINING IN A HOTEL.
>> WE LOVE YOU, ANIAH!
>> Reporter: ANGELA, MEANWHILE,REMAINED HOME, CARING FOR THEIR
FAMILY...
>> I MISS HER SO BAD.
>> Reporter: ...AND HOLDING AVIGIL THE NIGHT BEFORE WALT'S
FIGHT, MARKING THE ANNIVERSARYFOR THE LAST TIME THEY SAW ANIAH
ALIVE.
>> YOUR DADDY IS ABOUT TO FIGHT!
>> Reporter: THE FOLLOWING DAY,THE HARRISES WERE ON THE EDGE OF
THEIR SEATS TO WATCH WALT FIGHTHALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> OOH!
WALT HARRIS PLAYING POSSUM A LITTLE BIT.
>> COME ON, BABE.
THERE YOU GO!
COME ON.
>> Reporter: WALT STARTED OUTSTRONG..
>> AS HARRIS ATTACKS THE BODY AND NOW GOES UP TOP.
>> Reporter: ...BUT, IN AN INSTANT, THE FIGHT WAS OVER.
>> WHAT HAPPENED!
>> WALT'S ACTUALLY GRABBING HIS STOMACH.
>> Reporter: IN RETROSPECT, WALT TOLD US HE NEEDED MOREMENTAL
STRENGTH.
HE RETURNED HOME, AND, A FEWDAYS LATER, HE RELEASED ALL THAT
PENT-UP EMOTION.
>> HE JUST BROKE DOWN AND FELLDOWN TO THE FLOOR, CRYING.
>> Reporter: AND THROUGH ALL OF HERPAIN, ANGELA FOUND HER NEW
CALLING.
SHE STARTED A NONPROFIT, ANIAH'SHEART, TO TEACH SAFETY AND HELP
SEARCH FOR MISSING PEOPLE.
>> I'VE DONE GROUP SESSIONS FOR
EDUCATION.
I JUST DID ONE WITH SOMESOPHOMORES FROM ANIAH'S HIGH
SCHOOL, A GROUP OF, LIKE, 20GIRLS, TEACHING THEM ABOUT
EDUCATION AND SAFETY.
IT WAS AMAZING.
THIS IS A-- A MUST.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS LAW.
>> Reporter: AND SHE'S
CAMPAIGNING FOR ANIAH'S LAW, ABILL WHICH, IF ENACTED, ALLOWS
JUDGES TO DENY BOND TO SERIOUSVIOLENT OFFENDERS.
>> YOU HAVE PEOPLE COMMITTINGMULTIPLE VIOLENT CRIMES, AND
THEY JUST GET OUT ON BOND.
IT-- IT'S JUST NOT OKAY.
I KNOW ONE THING, THAT I WILLNOT STOP FIGHTING FOR HER.
[ APPLAUSE] >> Reporter: AROUND CHRISTMAS
2019, NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE CAMETOGETHER TO CELEBRATE ANIAH'S
LIFE.
>> THAT BEAUTIFUL SMILE SHE HADTHAT COULD JUST LIGHT UP A ROOM.
[ APPLAUSE] >> ANIAH WAS LIGHT.
WHEN YOU LOOKED AT HER, IN HEREYES, THE WAY-- THE WAY SHE MADE
YOU FEEL, SHE JUST MADE YOU FEELLIKE YOU WAS OKAY.
>> "WE WILL MISS YOU.
WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU WERE OURSISSY."
[ APPLAUSE] >> ANIAH HAS BEEN MY BEST FRIEND
SINCE I MET HER IN SIXTH GRADE.
SHE LEFT ME WITH THE BESTMEMORIES EVER, OF COURSE.
SHE WAS A LEADER.
SHE WOULD PUT PEOPLE FIRST EVENWHEN SHE WAS SAD OR NEEDED
ANYTHING.
I LOVE YOU, ANIAH.
YOU ARE TRULY MY SUNSHINE ONRAINY DAYS.
[ APPLAUSE] >> ALL THIS STUFF IS TRUE.
SHE WAS REALLY, TRULY A SPECIALHUMAN BEING.
>> DECEMBER 21, 2019 WILL BEFOREVER KNOWN AS "ANIAH HALEY
BLANCHARD DAY" IN THE CITY OFHOMEWOOD, ALABAMA.
[ APPLAUSE] I LOVE YOU, GIRL.
HIS WIFE, A SUSPECT.
AND THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT?
>> THE COMMON INGREDIENT.
>> THE EYEDROP.
WHEN IT IS GIVEN ORALLY, IT IS VERYTOXIC.
>> Reporter: THIS LITTLE BOTTLECOULD BE A MURDER WEAPON.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> "48 HOURS," SATURDAY AT 10:00, 9:00 CENTRAL ON CBS.