Mecklenburg County M E Office

3440 Reno Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28216

Telephone 7043362005
Fax 7043368353
REPORT OF AUTOPSY EXAMINATION
DECEDENT
Document Identifier B201401840
Autopsy Type ME Autopsy
Name Bianca Tiana Tanner
Age 31 yrs
Race Black
Sex F
AUTHORIZATION
Authorized By J. Michael Sullivan MD Received From Mecklenburg
ENVIRONMENT
Date of Exam 07/03/2014 Time of Exam 10:30
Autopsy Facility Mecklenburg County M E Office Persons Present Ms. Elizabeth Fisher
CERTIFICATION
Cause of Death
Undetermined trauma
The facts stated herein are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Digitally signed by
J. Michael Sullivan MD 24 October 2014 08:21
DIAGNOSES
1. Decomposed, extensively skeletonized, remains of an adult black female
IDENTIFICATION
Body Identified By
Dental Exam
EXTERNAL DESCRIPTION
Body Condition Decomposed
Rigor Decomposed
Livor Decomposed
Hair Brown/Black
Eyes Indeterminate
Teeth Present
The body is that of an adult female, markedly decomposed and extensively skeletonized. Skull shows
features consistent with African-American origin. Clothing includes dark discolored shorts with elastic
waist and a dark discolored white or light colored tee shirt with orange stripes. The greater portion of
the remains are in one piece within the body bag, with additional bones and fragments collected and
submitted separately as described below. As noted, the remains are extensively skeletonized with
some decomposed and partially mummified soft tissue remnants around the left arm, left leg and right
leg and over the back. There is a collection of head hair, measuring approximately 10" x 4" x 4"
adjacent to the skull which consists of a mass of tightly curled brown and black hair.
Submitted separately with the body are three brown paper bags sealed with clear tape. In bag #1
there is found a mandible and 9 loose teeth, two of which show pink discolor. In bag #2, are two small
white cardboard slide boxes. One box contains two cervical vertebrae, C2 and C3. Second slide box
contains cervical vertebra, C1. In bag #3 there are four small white cardboard slide boxes. In slide
box labeled "PRESUMED LEFT HAND" are found two fingernails with press-on acrylic nail with "french
manicure" with white tip. Box also contains 14 hand bones. In a small slide box labeled "fingernails"
Page 1 of 6 F201402953 24 October 2014 08:21
are found four fingernails, press-on acrylic fake nails with "french manicure" with white tip. In a third
slide box labeled "PRESUMED RIGHT HAND", are found four hand bones. In a fourth small slide box
labeled "HYOID FROM RIGHT SHOULDER OF SHIRT" is found an intact hyoid bone with small amount
of attached decomposed soft tissue.
Over the midline left lower back is recognizable a tattoo which is comprised of a small red circle
apparent red fruit, probable cherry with green leaf, and associated dark blue/black design lines. There
are some additional tattoos visible over the left lower leg residual soft tissue, script in black ink with
the words "TOTAL PACKAGE".
Bones recovered include all vertebrae, sacrum and coccyx, right scapula, left scapula, right clavicle,
left clavicle. Bones includes sternum and manubrium, 12 right ribs, 11 left ribs. Bones include right
and left ilia, right and left femur, right and left tibia, right and left fibula. Bones include right
humerus, right radius and ulna, left humerus, left radius and ulna. Left hand bones present include: 2
phalanges, 3 metacarpals, and 3 carpal bones. Right hand bones present include: 11 phalanges and 3
metacarpal bones. The left foot is intact within decomposed soft tissue. Right foot has some residual
remnants of soft tissue, and shows absent phalanges of the 4th and 5th toes.
All bones show some small amounts of adherent soft tissue and cartilage intact at the articular
surfaces. Bones include the skull and as noted above recovered mandible. There was a small amount
of adherent soft tissue over the right parietal skull otherwise completely skeletonized. There is dirt
staining of the mandible and skull.
Examination shows no evidence of premortem trauma. There is no evidence of significant postmortem
animal predation trauma.
PROCEDURES
Radiographs
X-rays show no evidence of acute trauma, no residual foreign bodies.
Microbiology
None
Chemistry
None
Identification
Identification is based on distinctive tattoos noted over lower back and left lower leg, which compare
exactly to those of BIANCA TANNER, as described by family to CMPD, and seen in photographs of
BIANCA TANNER. Identification is also based on dental comparison. Multiple points of identification
are confirmed with comparison to records provided from the office of Matthew T. Norman, DDS of
Greensboro, NC. Points of identification include composite restorations teeth #2, #3, #5, #12, #13,
#14, #19, #21, #29, #30, and #31. Additionally radiographic congruents of premortem films in
comparison to postmortem bite wing film of teeth #29, #30, and #31.
SUMMARY AND INTERPRETATION
This is a 31-year-old black female who is decomposed and extensively skeletonized remains were found
in a wooded area in Charlotte on the morning of 7/3/2014. Remains were preliminarily identified as
those of BIANCA TANNER, who was reported missing from her apartment residence in Charlotte on
6/8/2014.
Examination showed the severely decomposed and extensively skeletonized remains of an adult
African-American female with no evidence of acute trauma. Identification of the remains as those of
BIANCA TANNER was confirmed through dental comparison, as well as distinctive tattoos present on
the residual soft tissues of the body.
Page 2 of 6 F201402953 24 October 2014 08:21
In view of the history, in particular the placement of a body in a hidden location, the cause of death will
be listed as an undetermined trauma.
DIAGRAMS
1. ADULT (FRONT/BACK)
2. RECORD OF DENTAL EXAMINATION AT AUTOPSY
3. RECORD OF DENTAL EXAMINATION AT AUTOPSY
Page 3 of 6 F201402953 24 October 2014 08:21
Page 4 of 6 F201402953 24 October 2014 08:21
Page 5 of 6 F201402953 24 October 2014 08:21
Page 6 of 6 F201402953 24 October 2014 08:21