Athena Strand Trial: FedEx Driver Admits to Capital Murder
In a heartbreaking case that gripped the nation, Tanner Horner, a former FedEx delivery driver, confessed to the capital murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand. The confession came during the start of his trial in a Tarrant County courthouse on Tuesday morning.
The Tragic Events Unfold
Horner, 34, admitted to kidnapping and strangling Athena after accidentally hitting her with his van while delivering a package to her father’s home in Paradise, Texas, in November 2022. A haunting photo released by prosecutors shows Athena moments before she was allegedly abducted, appearing uneasy as Horner focused on the road.
According to authorities, Horner was delivering a package containing Barbie dolls intended as Athena’s Christmas present. He confessed to investigators that after hitting Athena while backing up, he panicked and placed her in his van. Her body was discovered two days later, less than 10 miles from the property.
Confession in Court
When asked for his plea by Judge George Gallagher, Horner responded, “Guilty, your honor.” The judge accepted the plea, marking a significant development in the case.
Family Testimony and Community Response
Athena’s stepmother, Ashley Strand, testified about the immediate aftermath of realizing Athena was missing, stating she initially thought the child might be hiding. She noted the unusual presence of the delivered package of Barbie dolls in front of an abandoned trailer on their property.
Wise County’s former Sheriff Lane Akin shared that the search for Athena was a massive grassroots effort, with approximately 300 citizens joining law enforcement, utilizing ATVs, horses, and dogs. “It was shoulder to shoulder,” Akin stated, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming community support.
Background of the Case
Athena was set to return to Oklahoma with her mother after the holidays and had been staying with her father, Jacob Strand, and Ashley Strand, in Wise County. The case quickly gained national attention, leading to an Amber Alert and an extensive search.
The investigation revealed that Horner had a prior connection to a 30-year-old cold case, with DNA evidence linking him to that unsolved crime. Fox News Digital provides ongoing coverage of this and other true crime stories.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a U.S. Writer at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X @s_rumpfwhitten.