Chilling Photo Shows Missing 7-Year-Old Texas Girl Moments Before her Killing

A terrifying image was released in court showing a 7-year-old girl standing behind a delivery driver moments after he abducted her in Texas. Prosecutors said that the man later killed the child and dumped her body miles from her home.

The girl, Athena Strand, was kidnapped on November 30, 2022, outside her father’s house in Paradise, Texas. According to investigators, the accused, Tanner Horner, a delivery driver, was making a delivery when he took her.

According to AOL, the photo, which was used during trial proceedings, shows Athena inside the truck with Horner, 34. Prosecutors say this was shortly after he forced her into his delivery vehicle.

State District Judge George Gallagher told the jury: "Now your sole duty will be to listen to all of the evidence that is going to be presented to you, because you will be using that evidence to determine the proper punishment to be assessed."

Additionally, as per the opening statement, prosecutors told the jury that Horner threatened the child. "Don't scream or I'll hurt you." He also tried to assert his power, saying, "a 200-pound man can do to a 67-pound child."

Authorities confirmed Horner strangled Athena to death. He then left her body about nine miles away, southeast of Boyd. Her body was found two days after she went missing. Investigators tracked Horner using digital evidence the same day of the abduction, and he was arrested soon after.

An arrest affidavit showed that he told police he panicked after hitting the girl with his truck. But officials said that Athena was not injured at that time. Horner also said that he was afraid of how her parents would react, so he placed her in his truck and drove away. However, prosecutors believe his actions were planned, claiming that the accused used the same delivery truck each day.

The truck’s camera was also covered during the crime. Still, prosecutors said audio from the vehicle will reveal what happened. Horner was indicted in February 2023 on charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a child under 10.

Meanwhile, his defense team claimed that Horner had autism and faced mental health struggles in his early life. They said his family issues contributed to the situation.

Athena’s teacher, Lindsey Thompson, and stepmother, Elizabeth Ashley Strand, testified as witnesses on the first day. Thompson called her a “true gem” and said she adored Athena.