A shocking new detail has emerged in the murder of 7-year-old Texas girl Athena Strand. It is now understood that 30-year-old Tanner Horner, a contract driver for FedEx, struck Strand with his van. strangled the girlAccording to Fox 4.
Horner claims he accidentally hit Strand with his van while making a Christmas gift delivery.
Despite being hit by the van, Horner said Strand was fine, even able to talk and give her his name after the incident.
However, the driver panicked and pushed Strand into his car.
ATHENA STRAND’S KILLER DELIVERED 7-YEAR-OLD’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT: MOM
After trying to break the girl’s neck, Horner strangled Strand because he was worried she might tell her father about the situation, according to an affidavit obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Athena Strand, 7, was abducted and killed by FedEx delivery driver Tanner Lynn Horner, 30.
(Wise County Sheriff’s Office)
The site where Horner’s body was dumped, where she was found on December 2 after being missing for several days, is now decorated with pink balloons.
Pink was Athena’s favorite color.
TEXAS GIRL KILLED BY FEDEX DRIVER, MOTHER REMEMBERS IN EMOTIONAL MESSAGE: ‘KEEP HER STORY ALIVE’
Authorities say the body of 7-year-old Athena Strand was found on Friday, December 2, 2022.
(Wise County Sheriff’s Office)
“I want you all to know, she was amazing and she loves each and every one of you with all her heart, because she loves every person and every animal she meets,” said Athena’s mother, Maitlin Gandy. during a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening.
“I can’t keep my mind down and I have to share it. A friend of mine asked me the other day if I believe that God speaks to people? I know He is speaking to me now. This body, I’m an angry man and I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the psychic who took Athena from us, but there’s a gentle voice in the back of my mind that says I need to forgive him, “- Athena’s grandfather. , Mark Stand wrote in a tribute post on Saturday.
The official motive for the crime has not yet been determined.