Murder of Bianca Tanner by Angelo Smith examined on Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins

Mugshot of Angelo Smith
Angelo Smith pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend. Pic credit: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins is examining the murder of elementary school teacher Bianca Tanner, who was killed by her boyfriend at their apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On June 7, 2014, Tanner seemingly vanished without a trace. She had spent years teaching at the Reedy Fork Elementary School in Greensboro, NC, and had recently moved in with Smith in preparation for a new teaching post.

Unfortunately, Tanner’s remains were found on July 3 in a wooded area southwest of Charlotte. According to the coroner, the body was “severely decomposed and extensively skeletonized,” and she died from some “undetermined trauma.”

About a week before Tanner’s body was located, Smith was arrested near Chicago and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Tanner’s three-year-old son. However, he was soon facing a murder charge.

On the evening of the murder, Smith claimed he received a text message from someone referring to him as “sweetie.” (The cops later said he did receive a text). He said this led to an argument with Tanner, which escalated when she pulled a gun and a knife on him. He claimed she had a seizure in the ensuing struggle.

Smith blamed his reluctance to call the authorities on police racism and said he concluded it was better to conceal Tanner’s death.

Angelo Smith claimed he killed Bianca Tanner in self-defense

The killer later told local media, “What I was attempting to do was just sort of restrain her in a way to where she wasn’t able to face me and stab me with this knife until she calmed down. But in the middle of that, her body seized up; I believe she had a seizure.”

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“She fell to the ground, her eyes were rolled into the back of her head, and there was foam coming out of her mouth,” added Smith.

Profile pic of Bianca Tanner
Bianca Tanner was a beloved elementary school teacher before her tragic murder. Pic credit: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Smith’s case was damaged by statements made by Tanner’s son, who told investigators, “Mommy got a spanking,” and “Angelo kicked mommy’s butt and made her cry,” and finally, the child claimed Smith had “hurt mommy in the face.”

Angelo Smith pleaded guilty to Bianca Tanner murder and received a lengthy sentence

Eventually, Smith pleaded guilty today to voluntary manslaughter, first-degree kidnapping, concealment of a death, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to serve 19 to 26 years.

Mecklenburg County prosecutors said in a statement that they offered Smith a plea deal because they were concerned they would not get a murder conviction. The prosecution felt unable to prove that Smith did not kill Tanner out of self-defense.

A second man, Lawrence Adrian Briscoe, was also arrested and charged with helping Smith to conceal the death.

In September 2021, Smith committed suicide. He was found dead at the Pamlico Correctional Institution in North Carolina.

Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins airs Saturday at 8/7c on Oxygen.

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