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Bianca Tanner's murder is the subject of an intense and heartbreaking episode of Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins: Into Thin Air, aired Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. on Oxygen True Crime.
The episode recounts the shocking death of a young woman in Charlotte, North Carolina. It sheds light on the dark circumstances surrounding her demise. The story of Bianca Tanner's murder is both tragic and unnerving, offering insight into how an innocent life was senselessly cut short.
Bianca Tanner, a beloved elementary school teacher, was reported missing in June 2014, just days after moving to Charlotte. Her death has left many questions. The episode examines the pivotal moments of the investigation.
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Bianca's boyfriend, Angelo Smith, eventually confessed to his involvement in her death after weeks of denial.
The details of Bianca Tanner’s murder reveal a combination of domestic violence, panic and poor decisions. Each turn of the case uncovers the tragic events that led to her death. Five key details from the case illustrate the complexity of this crime, from the initial conflict to the eventual discovery of her body.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinions on spoilers of Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins. Reader discretion is advised.
Bianca Tanner's Murder: Key details to remember
1) The initial conflict
The day Bianca Tanner was killed began like any other. According to Angelo Smith, the couple spent time together with her young son. However, a text message on Smith’s phone ignited a conflict between them.
Tanner became upset on seeing a message addressed to him as "sweetie." Smith claimed that he didn’t know who sent the message, but the explanation didn’t convince Bianca. The couple argued, and the situation escalated into violence.
According to Smith’s account, Tanner allegedly brandished a gun and a knife, which he said led him to try and restrain her. This initial confrontation set the stage for the tragic outcome that followed.
2) The fatal chokehold
In court, Smith confessed to placing Bianca Tanner in a chokehold after the argument escalated. He claimed that he was trying to prevent her from attacking him with the knife.
Smith described how, during the struggle, Tanner's body seized, and she appeared to have a seizure. He watched as her eyes rolled back, and foam began to come out of her mouth.
Despite these signs of distress, Smith didn't call for help. This moment marked a point of no return, leading to Bianca's death. The use of the chokehold was a fatal decision that eventually caused Tanner's life to slip away.
3) The Cover-up
After realizing that Bianca Tanner had died, Angelo Smith panicked. Instead of calling the authorities, he reached out to his fraternal brother for advice. They decided against involving the police, citing fears of being targeted by law enforcement.
In a desperate attempt to hide the crime, they devised a plan to dispose off her body. Smith and his accomplice transported Tanner’s lifeless body to the woods by Lake Wylie and left her there. It led to weeks of searching by law enforcement and family members for Bianca.
4) The body’s discovery
For nearly a month, Bianca Tanner’s family and police searched tirelessly for her, hoping for a positive outcome. Unfortunately, the truth was far darker. Smith’s fraternal brother, feeling guilty about his role in the cover-up, eventually led police to her body.
By the time they discovered Bianca's remains, they were too decayed to ascertain the precise cause of death. Smith was able to evade a potential first-degree murder conviction as a result of the absence of concrete evidence. But his role in her death was irrefutable, and he was subsequently charged.
5) The aftermath and plea deal
Angelo Smith was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after Bianca Tanner's body was found. But because her body had broken down and the exact cause of death couldn't be found, he was offered a plea deal.
Smith avoided being found guilty of first-degree murder and was instead charged with a less serious crime. Many, especially Tanner's family, who had lost their loved one in such tragic circumstances, felt that justice wasn't fully done in the case. Smith apologized but what he did was too bad to fix.
Bianca Tanner's death in 2014 highlights the dangers of domestic violence and poor decision-making. The case emphasizes the importance of seeking help rather than violence in conflict. At each stage of the case, preventable events could have saved Bianca's life.
Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins is available to stream on Oxygen.
