This unfortunate story shows you why parents are so vigilant these days about the whereabouts of their children.
A Texas mother and family are mourning the senseless murder of their seven-year-old child.
Athena Strand was abducted from the driveway of the home of her father and stepmother, by a FedEx driver who had just dropped off a package.
On Friday, December 2, Texas police arrested and charged the FedEx driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, with the kidnapping and subsequent murder.
In a press conference on Friday, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said that Athena Strand was abducted and some time after was murdered, by the suspect.
Sheriff Akin said it was one of the saddest investigations of his career.
Police found Athena’s body on Friday night. She was reported missing on Wednesday by her stepmother. According to Sheriff Akin, it is believed the child died within one hour of her abduction.
Sheriff Akin said the stepmother was the only adult home at the time of Athena’s disappearance. Her father was on a deer hunting trip when he was told about the girl’s murder.
Searches of the immediate area were unsuccessful. Athena was found about 10 miles from the house.
Tanner Horner is being held at the Wise County jail. He confessed to kidnapping and killing the girl. He is charged with capital murder of someone under ten years old and aggravated kidnapping. His bond is set at $1.5 million.
Police said Horner is a contract driver for FedEx, and he was allegedly making a delivery to the house at the time of her abduction.
At the press conference on Friday, Sheriff Akin said that Athena disappeared on Wednesday, November 30, after coming home from school. The police received a tip that pointed to the FedEx driver.
According to the Sheriff, Horner did not likely know the girl or her family. The motive for the murder is not known.
Maitlyn Gandy, Athena’s mother, who lives in Oklahoma, wrote on Facebook on Saturday that a “sick and cruel monster” took her daughter from her for absolutely no reason. She described Athena as a beautiful, innocent, kind, and bright person who was always happy.
Gandy said Athena’s dream was to grow up and become a Viking princess with lots of tattoos like her dad.
FedEx released a statement expressing shock and sorrow. They sent their sympathies to the family of the murdered girl and said they were cooperating with law enforcement investigating the matter.
Horner’s neighbors near Lake Worth were dismayed and said that they would never have expected him to be involved in such an awful tragedy.
Athena’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, spoke at a memorial service at the Cottondale Baptist Church in Wise County. Over 1,000 people showed their support and love to the family at the church.
