Teacher has been missing for nearly a week in Charlotte
GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- In Wake County, the family of a missing teacher says they are not giving up hope.
Bianca Tanner has been missing for nearly a week in Charlotte, and the family has been overcome with worry.
The 31-year-old teacher was reported missing last Sunday. She recently moved to Charlotte, but she grew up in the Triangle and graduated from Garner High School.
Her family is asking for the public's help as they prepare for a weekend trip to Charlotte to continue the search for Bianca.
The family is proud of Bianca's achievements: she was going back to school to get her doctoral degree. The family says she had a good head on her shoulders, was raising her young son, and had a good job. The family made it clear they will fight for her safe return.
"I ask people if they know the word of prayer to please pray that she come home safe," said Tanner's aunt, Faye Scarborough.
Bianca and her son had moved to Charlotte to be with her boyfriend. She had plans to start a new teaching job in her new city, but the day before Bianca was supposed to start work, she was reported missing.
Scarborough described her niece as a "sweet, loving person."
"She's always willing to do things for other people," Scarborough said.
Police in Charlotte say there hasn't been any recent activity on Bianca's cell phone or credit cards. They believe she may have been murdered, and they are now investigating her disappearance as a homicide.
"We don't feel this is just a simple missing person case," said Chief Rodney Monroe of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Police are not calling her boyfriend a suspect. Police have searched his car and the apartment the couple briefly shared.
"Right now, I can't name or identify who the individuals are, but as we try to unravel this particular case, there are some significant inconsistencies and some statements that we've received," Monroe said.
The family just hopes Bianca will return home safely.
"If anybody knows of her whereabouts, I ask that they come forth and give what information they can to bring this child home safe because we love her so much," Scarborough added.
