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TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WRBL) — The fifth day of testimony in the trial surrounding the tragic murder of Aniah Blanchard in 2019 brought forth a wealth of insights from detectives with the Montgomery and Auburn police departments. Their detailed accounts painted a clearer picture of the events leading up to Blanchard’s death.
Josh Mixon, who served as a senior detective with the Auburn Police Division at the time, provided significant testimony. He revealed that after Blanchard and the accused, Yazeed, first met at the Chevron on South College Street on October 23, 2019, they proceeded to another gas station, Murphy Oil, located further south. Surveillance footage shown in court depicted Blanchard in the driver’s seat while Yazeed exited the passenger side to make a purchase before returning to the vehicle.
The narrative progressed to the evening of October 25, 2019, when Blanchard’s vehicle was discovered at an apartment complex on 6121 Broadwalk Boulevard, marking a pivotal moment in the investigation as she had been reported missing by then.
Mixon recounted the discovery at the scene, where investigators were confronted with a significant amount of blood in the passenger seat, which forensic testing later confirmed belonged to Blanchard.
This critical evidence shifted the investigation’s focus towards Yazeed, alongside associates Antwon Fisher and David Johnson Jr., known as Big Dave. Through interviews with Big Dave and Fisher, investigators honed in on Fisher, who ultimately pointed them to the location of Blanchard’s body, advancing the case further.
During cross-examination, the defense asked if there was any evidence that places Yazeed in the woods, where Blanchard’s body was found, to which Mixon replied, “no”. Then, when asked about Yazeed’s kidnapping charge, Mixon replied, “There’s no evidence that supports our theory of kidnapping.”
Testimony will continue on Monday at 9 a.m.