Athena Strand was seven years old when she was abducted and murdered in November 2022. The package she had been eagerly awaiting was delivered by former FedEx driver Tanner Horner. Horner confessed to killing Athena, initially claiming he struck her with his delivery van while backing up. He dumped her body beside a country road near a river, about nine miles from her home. Horner initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty on the eve of trial. He is facing a sentencing trial where jurors will decide if he should face the death penalty.
Athena lived in Paradise, Texas, with her father and stepmother, according to multiple reports. She was expecting a Christmas delivery of Barbie dolls on November 30, 2022. Athena reportedly argued with her stepmother Elizabeth Strand before her disappearance. She was last seen at around 5:45 pm on November 30, 2022, according to multiple reports. Elizabeth Strand went looking for Athena at 6:30 pm and noticed a Walmart parcel containing the Christmas present had been dropped in front of an abandoned trailer, according to multiple reports.
The evidence is overwhelming and terrible.
A 72-hour search involving over 200 community members was conducted, according to multiple reports. Investigators focused on Horner after the search failed, according to multiple reports. A SWAT team searched Horner's home and found items of Athena's clothing, including socks and underwear, in a bin, according to multiple reports. Horner was tracked down through digital evidence on the day of the murder, according to authorities.
Horner later admitted Athena was alive after the incident and that he panicked, fearing he would lose his job, according to Horner. According to the affidavit, Horner tried to break Athena's neck and when that failed, he strangled her with his bare hands. Horner initially led Texas Rangers to a bamboo thicket where he claimed he tossed her body, but later led them to Bobo's Crossing on the Trinity River near Boyd, Texas, where her body was found on December 2, according to multiple reports. Horner told investigators that Athena did not appear seriously injured, but he panicked, placed her in his van, and strangled her out of fear she would tell her father, according to authorities.
Where are you taking me?
Athena was naked when discovered, and prosecutors indicated there was DNA evidence of sexual assault, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors showed images of straps found inside Horner's truck, including a bungee-like cord and a looping rope, according to multiple reports. According to a forensic crime scene investigator, a forensic test revealed a large amount of bodily fluids had been cleaned inside the truck, believed to be from the strangulation. According to crime scene investigator Alise Amey, marks on Athena's face were consistent with the floor of the van. Athena's body was found in water at BoBo Crossing in Wise County, according to authorities.
Horrific new evidence in the sentencing trial led a Texas TV station to pause its broadcast, according to multiple reports. The evidence included excerpts from an hour-long video of Horner strangling Athena, which the outlet opted not to share, according to multiple reports. According to reports, Horner's last words to Athena were 'Don't scream or I'll hurt you.' According to Horner's testimony, Horner told Athena 'Just get in the back of the van, we're going to go to the hospital' before strangling her. According to multiple reports, jurors broke down in tears after being shown video of Athena asking Horner 'Where are you taking me?' According to multiple reports, Athena asked Horner 'Are you a kidnapper?' multiple times. According to multiple reports, Horner asked Athena to remove her shirt. According to multiple reports, the FedEx driver sang 'Jingle Bell Rock' while strangling Athena Strand.
Are you a kidnapper?
Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of Athena Strand, according to research. Horner was indicted on February 16, 2023, for aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under 10, according to research. Wise County District Attorney James Stainton intended to seek the death penalty, according to research. Judge George Gallagher did not see an issue with observers wearing pink in support of Strand, according to research.
Prosecutors said the jury would hear and see what 'a 200-pound man can do to a 67-pound child' and that Horner's first words to Athena were 'Don't scream or I'll hurt you', according to prosecutors. Prosecutors argued Horner's actions were premeditated because he ensured he had the same FedEx truck each day, according to prosecutors. Horner claimed an alter-ego named 'Zero' killed Athena, according to Horner.
a 200-pound man can do to a 67-pound child
Horner's attorney Steven Goble acknowledged the evidence was 'overwhelming' and 'terrible' and asked for life in prison, according to Horner's attorney. Horner's defense said his parents struggled with substance abuse; his mother worked as a stripper until he was born, according to Horner's defense team. Horner lives with autism and had a history of mental illness, lacking access to services until age 18, according to Horner's defense team. Horner was exposed to high lead levels, according to Horner's defense team.
A 72-hour search involving over 200 community members was conducted, according to multiple reports. Judge George Gallagher did not see an issue with observers wearing pink in support of Strand, according to research.
Unanswered questions remain. What specific evidence led to the Texas TV station pausing its broadcast? The exact content of the hour-long video of Horner strangling Athena has not been fully disclosed. The status of the death penalty decision by the jury is pending. The full extent of Horner's mental health history and its impact on the trial remains unclear.