Tanner Horner Faces Death Penalty For Murder of 7-Year-Old Athena Strand as Family Speaks Out

FedEx driver Tanner Horner, who was convicted with the murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, has been sentenced to death by a Texas jury. The horrifying murder of the little child shocked the community and family after chilling details of her final moments were made public.

The verdict was delivered at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth after jurors deliberated for about three hours. Horner showed no visible reaction as the judge announced he would die by lethal injection at a date yet to be set. When asked about an automatic appeal, required in capital cases in Texas, he replied, “Yes, sir.”

Athena’s family was also present in the courtroom and expressed their grief and strong loathing toward Horner. The environment grew tense as Athena’s uncle, Elijah Strand, faced Horner, pointed at him and said, “You will be judged. You will face the wrath of God.” He added, “You are nothing. You are a footnote in Athena’s history.” Earlier, her father also expressed remorse for Horner.

His voice then broke as he told the court that Athena’s name will be remembered by everyone while Horner’s will fade.

Athena’s mother sat nearby. Her hair was dyed pink in tribute to her late daughter as she tightly held her youngest daughter. She wiped away tears as the sentencing unfolded.

Prosecutors said Horner abducted and killed the child in November 2022 after picking her up outside her home in Paradise, Texas. Her body was later found in a creek about 40 miles away. Horner, earlier in his trial, said that he struck Athena with his truck, then kidnapped and strangled her.

However, the evidence presented in court left everyone in shock, with many weeping, after audio from inside the delivery truck was released. After being captured, Athena asked, “Are you a kidnapper?” before asking for her mother. At one point, Horner said to her, “If you don’t shut up, I will hurt you worse.”

The recording also revealed that he sang along to the song, Jingle Bell Rock, as the attack unfolded. The singing stopped once Athena went silent.

Investigators presented forensic evidence, including DNA that could exclude Horner. They also pointed to his internet searches about whether delivery truck cameras record continuously.

Besides this case, two women and a man testified about past assaults that they said Horner committed when they were underage. Prosecutors claimed this showed a pattern of abusive behavior toward minors and called the killing deliberate.

Horner’s defence focused on his mental health. Lawyers said he is on the autism spectrum and has struggled for years. They shared a letter in which he blamed changes in his delivery route and referred to an alter ego named “Zero.” However, prosecutors rejected that argument.