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Missing teacher’s body found, boyfriend arrested

Posted at 10:20 PM, Jul 03, 2014
and last updated 2014-07-04 12:51:29-04

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said early Thursday they believe they have found the remains of Bianca Tanner, the former Guilford Co. teacher that went missing in Charlotte June 8.

Tanner’s boyfriend, Angelo Smith, has been re-arrested and charged with murder, according to affiliate WHGP. Police said a cooperating witness helped provide information that led them to Tanner’s remains.

Smith confessed after the remains were found, according to WSOC.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe  said detectives believe they have found the remains of Tanner in a wooded area near Shopton Road West and Westinghouse Boulevard, about 16 miles from Smith’s apartment.

Bianca Tanner

Bianca Tanner

The medical examiner has not yet positively identified the remains.

Smith was taken to the law enforcement center where he will be processed and transferred to the Mecklenburg County Jail.

There is no record of Tanner using her debit card or cell phone after she was reported missing.

Tanner was moving to Charlotte from Greensboro. She had been a second-grade teacher at Reedy Fork Elementary School.

During the investigation, detectives talked to several family members of Tanner, including her 3-year-old son.

The search warrant states police are looking for a belt/paddle, cellphones, clothes worn by Tanner during the alleged assault, evidence of blood, hairs and other bodily fluids.Tanner’s son told police, “Mommy got a spanking with the belt. Angelo kicked mommy’s butt and made her cry.” The boy also told police that “Angelo is mean to mommy and hurt mommy in the face.”

Investigators said Smith had an outstanding warrant for domestic battery out of Arkansas. In that case, Smith’s girlfriend at the time reported to police that he “threw her onto the bed and covered her face, both mouth and nose, with his hand, smothering her,” the warrant states.

Read more on WGHP.