Dana White, Jon Jones and Governor of Alabama offer reward for information to help find Walt Harris’ missing stepdaughter

UFC president Dana White has personally offered to up the reward being offered by Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama for any information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in the missing persons case surrounding UFC heavyweight Walt Harris’ stepdaughter Aniah Blanchard.

Blanchard, who is a college student at Southern Union Community College, went missing last Wednesday, Oct. 23. According to Auburn Police, she spoke to a friend late that evening and was later spotted at a convenience store in the area, which was confirmed by a surveillance video released by authorities.

Governor Ivey announced on Wednesday that her office would offer a $5,000 reward for any information that would lead to the arrest and conviction anybody involved in the missing person case.

White then decided to up the ante by offering an additional reward in hopes that information will be provided to help find Blanchard.

“To help find Aniah, I’m contributing an additional $25,000 to Alabama governor Kay Ivey’s $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators involved in the disappearance of Aniah Blanchard,” White said in a video released by the UFC.

Harris made a public plea the day after Blanchard went missing and he’s continued to ask for help to gather any information that could lead to his stepdaughter being found. The veteran heavyweight is also currently in training camp for arguably the biggest fight of his career when he competes at the upcoming UFC on ESPN 7 card from Washington D.C. where he faces Alistair Overeem in the main event.

Auburn Police have continued to update the situation over the past few days including Blanchard’s car being discovered at an apartment complex in Montgomery, Ala. on Oct. 25. Police verified the car belonged to Blanchard and there had been extensive damage done to the right side of the vehicle. That damage was not present the last time Blanchard was seen with the car.

”The surveillance video’s been released, we’ve got a timeline of her night, so all of that, these are all puzzle pieces and at the end of the day, it’s our hope that we can find that last puzzle piece,” Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said about the Blanchard case when speaking to ABC 3340 on Wednesday.

A vigil was also held in Auburn on Wednesday with students and community members attending alongside Blanchard’s family.

On Thursday, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones also contributed an additional $25,000 to the reward along with $5,000 donated from an anonymous source. The total reward is now at $60,000 for information to help find Blanchard.

Auburn Police are asking anyone with information to contact Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140, the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391 or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.