UFC heavyweight Walt Harris expressed his grief early Thursday morning after authorities confirmed the human remains found in Alabama earlier this week belonged to his missing stepdaughter, Aniah Blanchard.
"This pain is unbearable," Harris wrote in an Instagram caption that addressed Blanchard. "I know you want me to be strong. ... Right now nothing makes sense and I'm so lost. I just want you back. I hope I made you proud."
Blanchard, who was 19 years old at the time of her death, was reported missing Oct. 24. She was last seen on video surveillance at a convenience store in Auburn, Ala., on Oct. 23.
Three men - Ibraheem Yazeed, Antwain Fisher, and David Johnson Jr. - have been arrested in connection to Blanchard's disappearance. Yazeed and Fisher have been charged with first-degree kidnapping, while Johnson has been charged with hindering prosecution.
Auburn police chief Paul Register said Wednesday the case will move forward as a homicide investigation and that the district attorney is looking to upgrade the charges against the suspects.
Harris was scheduled to fight Alistair Overeem in the UFC D.C. main event on Dec. 7 but was pulled from the bout in light of Blanchard's disappearance.