North Charlotte neighborhood relieved after arrest in Tanner case

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After weeks of hope and worry, a north Charlotte neighborhood can finally let down their guard and grieve.

People living in the Druid Hills community were holding their breath and saying prayers since Bianca Tanner disappeared in early June.

The community reacted with sadness and relief when police announced Thursday they found a body they believe to be Tanner's and that they had arrested her boyfriend, Angelo Smith.

"The thing kind of frightened me too. I was a little frightened," said George Hart, who lives across from the apartment that Smith and Tanner shared.

Some neighbors had joined in the search for Tanner and now share her family's pain.

"I want them to know that they're not grieving alone. We're all feeling this," said Gwendolyn Hinton, who lives several houses away from Tanner's apartment.

She said she and her neighbors were nervous while police searched for Smith and that uneasiness peaked on Wednesday night after Smith was briefly released from jail on bond.

"We didn't get much sleep around here. It's horrible! I feel sorry for his family too, because he messed his family up," Hinton said.

Smith's family may have been at his apartment Friday morning. A neighbor said he saw someone taking things out of the apartment and driving Smith's car out of the driveway where it had been parked for more than a week.

Smith remains in jail with no bond. His first court appearance is set for Monday afternoon.

WSOC