Athena Strand was a 7-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, as confirmed by major media sources. Tanner Horner, a former FedEx driver, abducted and murdered Athena Strand.
On November 30, 2022, Horner delivered a box of Barbie dolls, a Christmas present for Athena, to her home, according to multiple reports. Athena was last seen around 5:45 PM that day, and her stepmother, Elizabeth Strand, reported her missing after looking for her around 6:30 PM, as major media sources indicate. Investigators say Horner was working as a FedEx delivery driver when he went to Athena Strand's home to deliver a package containing a Christmas gift, according to research.
A 72-hour search involving over 200 community members was conducted for Athena, multiple reports state. Investigators focused on Horner after the search failed, according to major media sources.
A SWAT team found items of Athena's clothing, including socks and underwear, in a bin at Horner's home, multiple reports confirm. Horner was tracked down through digital evidence on the day of the incident, according to research.
Horner confessed to killing Athena, as reported by major media sources. He initially claimed he accidentally hit Athena with his delivery van while backing up, according to multiple reports. Horner later admitted Athena was alive after the incident and spoke to him, major media sources state. Investigators say Horner accidentally struck Athena Strand with his delivery truck while backing out of the driveway, research notes.
Delivery drivers typically bring 'joy and happiness' in their job.
Horner said he panicked, fearing Athena would tell her father and he would lose his job, multiple reports indicate. He put Athena in his truck and drove away, according to major media sources. Horner strangled Athena to death in the back of his van with his bare hands, as confirmed by multiple reports. Authorities allege Horner told investigators that Athena did not appear seriously injured but he panicked, placed her into his van, and strangled her out of fear she would tell her father, research states.
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 wild goose chase before eventually leading them to Bobo's Crossing on the Trinity River near Boyd, Texas, where Athena's body was found on December 2, major media sources state. Athena Strand's body was found two days later about 9 miles away from her home, southeast of Boyd, research indicates.
Athena was naked when her body was discovered, multiple reports confirm. Prosecutors indicated there was DNA evidence of sexual assault, according to the prosecution team. Prosecutors noted that Athena's body was found in water at BoBo Crossing in Wise County, research states.
Horner's sentencing trial included grisly evidence, such as audio and images from inside his FedEx truck, as reported by major media sources. 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, major media sources state.
Horner was accused of killing Athena Strand in Wise County on November 30, 2022, research indicates. He was indicted on February 16, 2023, for aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under the age of 10, according to research. Horner originally pleaded not guilty to aggravated kidnapping and capital murder in 2023, research notes.
The jury would hear and see what 'a 200-pound man can do to a 67-pound child'.
Horner pleaded not guilty initially but changed his plea to guilty on the eve of the trial, multiple reports state. The guilty plea abruptly ended what was expected to be an emotional capital murder trial in Tarrant County, according to research. Horner is facing a sentencing trial where jurors will decide if he should receive the death penalty.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton previously said he intended to seek the death penalty, research indicates. Prosecutors argued that 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' took over and killed Athena, as stated by Horner. Horner's attorney stated that Horner has autism, suffered from mental illnesses, and was exposed to lead, asking for a life sentence. Horner's defense team said his parents struggled with substance abuse, and his mother worked as a stripper until he was born, research notes. Horner's defense team said Horner was exposed to high lead levels, according to research.
After Horner entered his plea, Judge George Gallagher ordered a brief five-minute recess, research indicates. Horner's defense raised concerns about observers in the courtroom wearing pink in support of Strand, but Judge Gallagher did not see an issue, according to research. The plea was formally entered in front of the jury, and Judge Gallagher told jurors the trial now moved into deciding Horner's punishment, research states.
Prosecutors warned jurors about potentially graphic content, including video and audio expected to last about an hour, according to prosecutors. The specific content of the audio and video evidence from inside Horner's FedEx truck presented at the trial has not been publicly detailed, and it remains unclear what factors jurors will weigh most heavily in deciding between the death penalty and a life sentence for Horner. The exact nature and credibility of Horner's claim about an alter-ego named 'Zero', and how it is being evaluated in court, is also unknown, as are the specific mental health diagnoses and lead exposure levels Horner has, and how they are being considered in the sentencing phase. What specific DNA evidence of sexual assault was found, and whether it has been conclusively linked to Horner, has not been disclosed.