Tamaira Angell Smith, wanted for 17 years in the death of Georgia mother Eyanna Moore, was arrested after an identity-related driver’s license investigation. Authorities said Smith was identified after seeking help renewing a South Carolina license obtained with a stolen identity. She was extradited from Texas to Georgia and remains held in the Gwinnett County Jail. Smith faces a felony murder charge connected to an illegal silicone injection performed in 2009.
| 1) | The 2009 hotel-room procedure and death |
| 2) | How the investigation went cold |
| 3) | A driver’s license renewal exposed an alias |
| 4) | The arrest and pending court proceedings |
| 5) | Moore’s family seeks justice and awareness |
The 2009 hotel-room procedure and death
According to a Gwinnett County criminal arrest warrant, Smith allegedly injected silicone into Moore’s left buttock inside a Holiday Inn Express room near Stone Mountain, Georgia, on May 30, 2009. Moore, who was 29 and lived in Loganville, died the next day. Smith is accused of performing the procedure despite not being licensed to practice medicine.
Moore’s maternal aunt, Yolanda Hammond, said Moore had researched providers before agreeing to the procedure. Hammond said Smith and another woman presented themselves as sisters, with one claiming to be a doctor and Smith identifying herself as a physician assistant. The family later learned that the women allegedly used other people’s credentials and identities.
Hammond said Smith called Moore’s husband, David, after the procedure and instructed him to bring yogurt and Gatorade to the hotel. When he arrived, Moore was in distress, and he called emergency services. Hammond said Smith later called again and was told Moore had died.
“No alteration of your body is worth you losing your life,” Hammond said.
How the investigation went cold
Gwinnett police obtained an arrest warrant in June 2009, initially accusing Smith of practicing medicine without a license. A felony murder warrant followed months later, but authorities said Smith had already fled by then. Investigators were unable to locate her for 17 years.
The case remained unresolved while Moore’s family continued to live with the consequences of her death. Moore left four children, identified as Tatiyanna, Faith, Fantasia and Tristan. Two were so young at the time that they do not remember their mother, according to the family.
A driver’s license renewal exposed an alias
The breakthrough began with a South Carolina identity fraud investigation. Authorities said Smith obtained a South Carolina driver’s license in November 2018 using a woman’s stolen identity. In July 2026, she contacted the state Department of Motor Vehicles after an alert prevented her from renewing the license online.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division assigned the case to Special Agent Shawn Ludwig in August. Facial-recognition technology helped investigators identify Smith and connect her to the outstanding Georgia murder warrant. Investigators also identified another alias she had used in McKinney, Texas, along with information about her vehicle.
The arrest and pending court proceedings
McKinney police located Smith’s vehicle and arrested her in August 2026. Authorities then extradited her from Texas to Georgia, where she is being held in the Gwinnett County Jail. The case involves a felony murder allegation, and the accusations remain subject to court proceedings.
A bond hearing is scheduled for October 22 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. An attorney for Smith was contacted for comment. The investigation also involved Senior Special Agent Bridgette Lott, who worked with Ludwig on the identity case, according to state authorities.
Moore’s family seeks justice and awareness
Hammond said the family plans to attend court hearings and hopes the case will finally bring accountability for Moore’s death. She described Moore as an educated young woman who was married, raising children and working toward a better career and future for her family.
The family also hopes the case will warn others about the dangers of illegal cosmetic procedures. Hammond urged people to verify providers’ identities, credentials and licenses before agreeing to treatment, noting that online reviews and professional-looking websites may not establish that the people offering services are legitimate.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Moore died after an alleged silicone injection at a Georgia hotel in May 2009. |
| 2 | Smith was wanted on a felony murder charge after allegedly fleeing Georgia. |
| 3 | A South Carolina license obtained with a stolen identity led to the renewed investigation. |
| 4 | Smith was arrested in Texas and extradited to Georgia in 2026. |
| 5 | Moore’s family is seeking justice and urging caution around unlicensed cosmetic procedures. |
Summary
The arrest ends a 17-year search for Smith, but the felony murder case will now proceed through the Georgia courts. Investigators say a routine identity and driver’s license issue ultimately connected her to the outstanding warrant. Moore’s family is seeking accountability while using the case to emphasize the importance of verifying medical credentials and avoiding unlicensed procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Tamaira Angell Smith, 52, was arrested in McKinney, Texas, and extradited to Georgia.
What is Smith accused of?
She faces a felony murder charge in connection with the death of Eyanna Moore, who died after an alleged silicone injection in 2009.
How did authorities find Smith?
Investigators traced her after she sought help renewing a South Carolina driver’s license that had been obtained using a stolen identity. Facial recognition and vehicle information helped lead police to her in Texas.
When is the next court proceeding?
Smith’s bond hearing is scheduled for October 22 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.
