Athena Strand was a seven-year-old girl who lived in Paradise, Texas, with her father and stepmother, according to multiple reports. She was abducted and murdered in November 2022, multiple reports indicate. Her stepmother, Elizabeth Strand, reported her missing later that day after Athena was last seen around 5:45 PM on November 30, 2022, according to multiple reports.
Horner was delivering a box of Barbie dolls, a Christmas present for Athena, to her home on November 30, 2022, according to multiple reports. He initially claimed he accidentally hit Athena with his delivery van while backing up, according to multiple reports.
Don't scream or I'll hurt you.
Horner later admitted Athena was alive after the incident and he panicked, fearing he would lose his job, according to multiple reports. He put Athena in his truck and drove away, eventually strangling her to death in the back of the van, according to multiple reports. According to Daily Mail - News, Tanner Horner described making small talk with Athena, asking her age, school, and teacher's name.
Horner dumped Athena's body beside a country road near a river, about nine miles from her home, according to multiple reports. He led Texas Rangers on a false search before eventually leading them to Bobo's Crossing on the Trinity River near Boyd, Texas, where Athena's body was found on December 2, according to multiple reports. A 72-hour search involving over 200 community members was conducted, according to multiple reports.
Just get in the back of the van, we're going to go to the hospital.
Athena was naked when her body was discovered. Investigators found items of Athena's clothing, including socks and underwear, in a bin at Horner's home, according to multiple reports. A forensic test revealed a large amount of bodily fluids had been cleaned inside Horner's truck, according to multiple reports. Marks on Athena's face were consistent with the floor of the van, according to multiple reports.
FBI Special Agent Patrick McGuire was assigned to investigate the package delivered to Athena's home around the time she disappeared, according to research. A few days later, McGuire obtained dash camera video showing Horner placing a small girl into the back of his FedEx van, according to research. Horner's trial included the presentation of grisly evidence, including audio and images from inside his FedEx truck, according to multiple reports. Horner covered the camera in his truck, so only audio was recorded after a certain point, according to multiple reports.
Where are you taking me?
Prosecutors have indicated there is DNA evidence of sexual assault, according to multiple reports.
Horner pleaded not guilty initially but changed his plea to guilty on the eve of the trial, according to multiple reports. Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the death of Athena Strand. The punishment phase of the trial began immediately after the guilty plea, with Horner facing a possible death penalty sentence, according to research. Testimony wrapped up for the day at 2:35 p.m., with the trial resuming at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to research. Jurors took a lunch break at 12:50 p.m., with the trial resuming at 1:45 p.m., according to research.
Are you a kidnapper?
Horner claimed an alter-ego named 'Zero' took over and killed Athena, according to Tanner Horner. Horner's attorney cited factors such as his mother drinking while pregnant, autism, mental illnesses, and lead exposure in arguing for a life sentence, according to Horner's attorney.
Horner is facing a sentencing trial where jurors will decide if he should face the death penalty for capital murder.
You're really pretty. You know that?
FBI Special Agent Patrick McGuire was assigned to investigate the package delivered to Athena's home around the time she disappeared, according to research. Former Sheriff Lane Akin was the sheriff in office in November 2022 when Athena disappeared and testified about his experience with missing persons cases, according to research.
FOX 4 will provide live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the trial, according to research.
It's common for local agencies to request FBI help with missing child or kidnapping investigations.
Several unresolved questions persist in the case. The exact timeline and sequence of events between Athena being placed in the truck and her death remain unclear, given Horner's changing stories. Whether there were any prior incidents or complaints against Tanner Horner in his role as a FedEx driver is not known. According to Daily Mail - News, Tanner Horner described asking Athena to remove her shirt. According to Daily Mail - News, Tanner Horner described telling her, 'Don't scream or I'll hurt you.' According to Daily Mail - News, Athena Strand described asking, 'Where are you taking me?' and 'Are you a kidnapper?' According to Daily Mail - News, Tanner Horner described telling her, 'You're really pretty. You know that?'
In initial phone conversations, Horner told McGuire he didn't remember making a delivery at Athena's home.
After agents tracked Horner down in person, he admitted he did recall the delivery, claiming he saw a green van leaving the family's driveway and then went home sick.
McGuire warned law enforcement to look for a green Chevy Astro van, which he now believes never existed.