FedEx driver who kidnapped and killed a girl after delivering her Barbie Christmas present is being sought for the death penalty.
Tanner Horner, 31, is accused of murder and is facing the death penalty, according to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin, because the offense entailed the kidnapping and killing of a 7-year-old child. Athena Strand, age 7, was last seen on County Road in Paradise on a Wednesday night and her body was discovered on Friday around 200 yards away.
Following his arrest, Horner is now detained at the Wise County jail in a solitary cell by himself. As investigators continue to put the pieces of the puzzle together to have a “airtight” case, Wise stated that Horner is anticipated to be handed over to the District Attorney the next week. Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, a private contractor, was located after authorities received a tip, according to local station KDFW. He is currently being held on a $1.5 million bond, the station adds. They added that he admitted to the murder.
The child most likely died “within an hour” of her kidnapping, according to Akin. Horner admitted to the crime and is now facing capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges. He is being held in Wise County Jail on $1.5 million bond, according to the sheriff.
Missing 7 year old girl Athena Strand was found deceased less than 10 miles from home.
She got into an argument with step mom. Left outside.
A Fedex Driver delivering a package for her, kidnapped and killed her.Athena Strand’s Mother during press conference. pic.twitter.com/l0DypUxnZ7
– iCkEdMeL ☀🔎🔥 (@iCkEdMeL) December 8, 2022
On Wednesday, Athena Strand was reported missing after returning home from school. Strand went missing after returning home from school on Wednesday afternoon, according to Akin during an earlier press conference. Horner was a contractor for the delivery company. He was not related to Strand’s family and had never met her or any of her relatives. According to Akin, he most likely abducted her on the property’s driveway, about 200 yards from the house.
According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the child was dropped off at her home in Paradise from school at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday. She is supposed to have had an argument with her stepmother and was outside her house at probably the same time when Horner was delivering a FedEx package to her house.
