A FedEx driver who kidnapped and killed seven-year-old Athena Strand has been sentenced to death by lethal injection. Tanner Horner, 34, received the death penalty after a two-week hearing in Wise County, Texas. The jury chose execution over life without parole for the capital murder of a child under 10 and aggravated kidnapping.
The Crime
Athena Strand disappeared from her home in Paradise, near Fort Worth, Texas, in 2022. Her body was found two days later. Horner, who was delivering a Christmas present to her home, admitted to bundling the girl into his van after accidentally hitting her with it. He then strangled her to prevent her from telling anyone, according to his statement to detectives.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton presented video evidence showing Athena alive and unharmed in the FedEx truck after the abduction. The court heard that Horner told Athena, 'Don't scream, or I'll hurt you' during the ordeal.
Family's Statement
Athena's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, supported the death penalty, saying, 'Every breath he takes is one my daughter doesn't.' During sentencing, Athena's uncle, Elijah Strand, told Horner: 'You are nothing – you are a footnote in Athena's story. Her name will forever be remembered, her name will forever be celebrated, and everyone will forget you. Athena was more than a headline. She was laughter, curiosity, kindness and innocence. And she had dreams that she will never get to chase, birthdays that she will never celebrate, and a life she'll never get to live, because of his actions.'
Evidence and Defense
Stainton argued that Horner's claim of accidentally hitting Athena was an 'absolute lie,' pointing to the video showing her unhurt. Athena fought back, and Horner's DNA was found under her fingernails. His defense attorney, Steven Goble, claimed that physical and mental illness played a role, noting that Horner's mother drank during pregnancy, and that Horner has autism and various mental illnesses, as well as exposure to lead. Goble acknowledged the evidence was 'overwhelming' and 'terrible.'
