A FedEx driver convicted of kidnapping and murdering a 7-year-old girl has been sentenced to death for his heinous actions. Tanner Horner, 34, committed the crime while delivering packages to Athena Strand’s family residence in Paradise, Texas in November 2022. Despite Athena’s brave struggle, Horner tragically ended her life in a brutal manner.
Having pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping on April 7, Horner faced a jury deliberation that lasted two hours and 50 minutes before the decision for capital punishment was reached on May 5. Horner remained stoic upon hearing the verdict. Athena’s uncle, Elijah Strand, addressed Horner directly, emphasizing that Athena’s memory would endure, overshadowing her killer’s legacy.
Strand expressed the profound impact of Athena’s loss on their family, lamenting the void left by her absence and the unanswerable questions that linger. Describing Athena as more than a mere headline, Strand highlighted her vibrant spirit and the dreams she would never fulfill due to Horner’s actions.
During the trial, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton commended Athena’s bravery in resisting her assailant and showcased the shoes Horner wore during the tragic incident as a grim reminder of the violence inflicted upon her. Stainton underscored the absence of mercy in Horner’s actions, emphasizing the necessity of justice in a society plagued by evil.
Horner is set to be transferred to the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in West Livingston, Texas, where he will join other inmates on death row. The court proceedings revealed harrowing details of Athena’s final moments, including her poignant questions and pleas for mercy, which went unanswered by her captor. Despite Horner’s initial claim of accidental harm, prosecutors debunked his narrative, asserting that Athena was unharmed before the abduction.
Forensic evidence revealed the presence of male DNA on swabs from Athena’s rape kit, contradicting Horner’s account of the events leading to her death. The medical examiner’s report confirmed that Athena succumbed to blunt force injuries, smothering, and strangulation, ruling out signs of sexual assault.
As the community mourns the loss of Athena, her memory lives on as a symbol of resilience and innocence unjustly stolen. The trial’s revelations serve as a stark reminder of the darkness that exists in society and the pursuit of justice in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
