Tanner Horner’s Mom Details Son’s Troubled Childhood, Apologizes to Athena Strand’s Family During Emotional Testimony

Tanner Horner’s mother apologized to Athena Strand’s family as she took the witness stand during his murder trial in a Tarrant County courtroom on April 22. The trial is currently in the sentencing phase, as Tanner, 34, has already pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand.

Horner, a former FedEx driver, arrived at the Strand family’s home in Paradise, Texas, on November 30, 2022, to deliver a parcel. He soon picked Athena up and drove away with her in his truck. The child’s body was found two days later near the Trinity River.

The jury is now deliberating whether to hand Horner a life sentence or the death penalty. The defense began to present its case, and Tanner’s mother, Melissa Horner, was called to testify.

Melissa Horner began her testimony by describing her own childhood, and revealed that she was s—---- abused by her stepfather when she was a kid. The trauma led to addiction, and she struggled with substance abuse for years.

Melissa Horner added that at 17, she began working at a strip club, where she met her future husband, Tanner’s father. She further claimed that the man s—---- assaulted her on the first night they met, but she ended up marrying him two years later. Meanwhile, her struggle with addiction continued.

Melissa Horner said that her lifestyle impacted Tanner’s mental health. According to her, she did not realize she was pregnant for the initial 8.5 weeks. During that time, she continued to consume alcohol and narcotics. Once she learned about her pregnancy, she stopped with the liquor consumption, but kept smoking marijuana and cigarettes.

Melissa Horner then shifted her testimony's attention to Tanner’s childhood and described how he was different from others. She claimed Tanner was bullied in school as he had difficulty communicating, owing to Asperger’s syndrome.

“He wanted to get along with people, but they just weren't interested in having conversations with him. It was hard to watch. Very sad. They didn't like him at all,” she said. Melissa Horner said that the bullying overwhelmed her child, who began having emotional breakdowns and hitting his head.

The mother also disclosed that she was largely absent from Tanner’s life, as she struggled to stay sober and had to undergo rehabilitation. Meanwhile, her children stayed with their grandparents.

During the testimony, Melissa Horner got emotional several times and had to compose herself. The defense eventually asked her if she was angry with Tanner, to which she replied, “I am so mad at him. I want to just tear his a– up... She was just a baby.”

Asked whether she still loved her son, she said, “Of course, I love my son. I don't love who did that, though. I don't know who that was.” Melissa Horner went on to apologize to Athena’s family as tears rolled down her face. “I’m so sorry,” she stated.

The prosecution rested its case last week after presenting surveillance footage from Tanner’s truck that showed him kidnapping Athena and later threatening to harm her if she did not stay silent. Tanner then covered the camera, but the audio continued for a while, including the child's screams and cries.