On November 30, 2022, in Paradise, Texas, seven-year-old Athena Presley Monroe Strand was kidnapped and murdered by FedEx driver Tanner Lynn Horner. After delivering what was later shown to be Strand’s Christmas present to her house, Horner abducted Strand and subsequently strangled her to death.
๐ The Abduction
On November 30, 2022, seven-year-old Athena Strand was abducted from her home in Paradise, Texas, and later found dead near Fort Worth, Texas. That afternoon, a FedEx delivery driver, 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner, arrived at the residence to deliver a Christmas package containing Barbie dolls.
According to Horner’s account, he accidentally struck Athena with his vehicle while backing up and, panicking, placed her in his truck. However, investigators and prosecutors later challenged this version of events, presenting evidence that suggested the abduction was intentional and that Athena may not have been seriously injured when she was first taken.
๐ The Investigation
After kidnapping Strand, Horner drove away with Athena inside the vehicle. Evidence presented at trial indicated that she remained alive for some time and resisted her attacker. Within a relatively short period โ likely within about an hour of the abduction โ Horner killed her.
Meanwhile, Strand was reported missing by her stepmother on the same day of her kidnapping. Police investigations into her disappearance led them to Horner, who was last found to be delivering Strand’s Christmas gift to her house before she went missing. The police arrested Horner for questioning, and he confessed to the police that he kidnapped and killed Strand.
โ๏ธ Legal Proceedings
On December 5, 2022, Tanner Horner was officially charged with the aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of Athena Strand. On December 22, 2022, Horner faced an additional three counts of sexually assaulting a minor, and these charges were related to three separate incidents that took place in June, August, and December 2013 respectively.
On February 19, 2023, a Wise County grand jury formally indicted Horner for the kidnapping and capital murder of Strand. Three days later, on February 22, 2023, District Attorney James Stainton announced that he would seek the death penalty against Horner for the most serious charge of capital murder.
๐งโโ๏ธ Trial and Sentencing
On 7 April 2026, Horner pleaded guilty to the capital murder and kidnapping of Strand and was therefore convicted. A sentencing trial was carried out on the same date of Horner’s conviction. During the sentencing phase, the prosecution put forward a multitude of evidence to prove Horner’s guilt and the aggravating factors in favor of the death penalty.
On May 5, 2026, Horner was sentenced to death by Judge George Gallagher upon the unanimous recommendation by the jury.
| Date | Event | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 30, 2022 | Athena Strand abducted and murdered | Paradise, Texas | Victim found dead near Fort Worth |
| December 5, 2022 | Horner charged with capital murder and kidnapping | Wise County, Texas | Formal charges filed |
| April 7, 2026 | Horner pleaded guilty | Tarrant County, Texas | Conviction entered |
| May 5, 2026 | Sentencing hearing | Tarrant County, Texas | Death sentence imposed |