A missing 7-year-old girl from Texas, Athena Strand has been found dead a week after she went missing from her North Texas home. The accused of abducting and murdering 7-year-old Athena Strand has now been detained and in Police custody with charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.
Scroll down to know more about this case, what happened to her, where she disappeared, who killed her, and a lot more things you should probably look for.
Who Was Athena Strand?
Athena Presley Monroe Strand was a little girl, 7, from Texas, United States. She vanished from her bedroom in her home in Paradise, Texas, on Wednesday evening following an argument with her stepmother.
At first, the police believed someone had taken her from near the family’s gate, around 200 yards away from the property. Athena’s biological father was out of town when she disappeared and her biological mother lives in Oklahoma.
Later, her stepmother searched for an hour and then filed an FIR for her disappearance, and soon an Amber Alert was issued by the County Sheriff for the little girl on Thursday evening.
The county sheriff made a search team, including hundreds of volunteers, dog teams, and helicopters. After that, the FBI then teamed up with FedEx to track down the man behind her death.
What Happened to Athena Strand? Who Killed Her?
According to the sources and the statement of Wise County Sheriff, Lane Akin claimed that Athena Strand was killed by Tanner Horner, a FedEx truck driver. He first kidnapped her and then killed her within an hour of being taken, the officials said.
Tanner Lynn Horner, the accused, is being caught and detained at the Wise County Jail for the kidnapping and murder of a 7-year-old girl. Tenner’s bond was set at $1.5 million.
The dead body of Athena Strand has tragically discovered on Friday afternoon in Boyd, Texas after she was kidnapped by a FedEx driver. It’s about six miles away from her home.
Tributes of Athena Strand death
Athena’s mom is now grieving and mourning the loss of her cute daughter. She posted lots of pictures on Facebook with a long captions.
Rose: “Athena Strand has been found dead a weak after she disappeared. She was senselessly murdered. This man will pay. Rest In Peace sweet girl”.
Athena Presley Monroe Strand has been found deceased. She was senselessly murdered. This man will pay. Rest In Peace sweet girl. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/C4mxzphLp9
— Rose (@901Lulu) December 3, 2022
One user wrote, “What a beautiful angel. Her stepmom must be in complete hell right now. Someone else’s child died while in your care. I’m not blaming her, but I personally also could never come back from that”.
😥🙏🏻 what a beautiful angel. Her stepmom must be in complete hell right now. Someone else's child died while in your care. I'm not blaming her, but I personally also could never come back from that.
— ohwelldotcom ☮️ (@DollaBill725) December 3, 2022
Laura, “I’m very scared and a bit worried about those children, who had a contract FedEx driver, dropped off a package and picked up their 7-year-old, #Athena Strand and killed her. We know he raped a 15 yr. old, 3 yrs. ago. How many more victims are out there? He was also an Uber driver. #Athena”.
Meredith Yeomans, “Sheriffs said, Tanner Horner, is a 31-year-old from Lake Worth. He was charged with murdering 7-year-old #AthenaStrand. Also mentioned, he kidnapped Athena during a FedEx delivery to her home Wednesday”.
FedEx released a statement following the news of Athena Strand’s death, “Words cannot describe our shock at the reports surrounding this tragic event. Our thoughts are with Athena’s family during this most difficult time, and we make sure to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities”.
Hope you get all the details regarding Athena Strand’s death. We are also offering our deepest condolence to her mother and we are wishing her soul peace, comfort, and strength.