Brittany Reneé Smith, 30, was found dead at her Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, home on November 26, 2023. Her death was initially reported as a possible suicide, but investigators reclassified it as a homicide after evidence recovered at the scene and medical examiner findings indicated the death was not self-inflicted.

Two men were in the residence at the time: her boyfriend, 30-year-old Demonte Saquan Johnson, and 27-year-old Patrick Lequan Banks, both from Roanoke Rapids. Warrants were issued for both on January 5, 2024; Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and Banks with felony obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. They were located and taken into custody on January 14, 2024.

Brittany, born August 16, 1993, in Bartow, Florida, moved to North Carolina three years before her death and was mother to Destiny Parker, Alicia Parker, Chassidy Parker, Brooklyn Parker, Deneshia Johnson, and Dream Johnson. A visitation and funeral were held December 13, 2023, in Lake Wales, Florida. Anyone with information about Brittany’s death is asked to contact investigators.