During the murder trial of Tanner Horner, jurors were presented with images of his FedEx truck, which prosecutors assert was the chilling scene of 7-year-old Athena Strand’s abduction and tragic demise. The incident occurred when Athena was taken from her driveway.
On Friday, the prosecution introduced a collection of photographs depicting the truck’s interior, where Athena’s life was cruelly cut short by Horner, 34, in Texas on November 30, 2022. Horner has confessed to the murder, and the jury is now tasked with determining whether he will face a life sentence or the death penalty.
The jury examined images revealing bungee cords and straps inside the vehicle, along with shots of investigators searching for biological evidence.
Initially, Horner claimed he accidentally struck Athena with his truck, but he later confessed to strangling her after abducting her while delivering a Christmas package to her father’s residence in Paradise, Texas.
Former FedEx driver Tanner Horner was identified as the murderer of Athena Strand. (Varghese and Summersett Law Group)
On April 10, 2026, jurors were shown evidence photographs of the inside of Horner’s FedEx truck, including bungee cords. Horner had kidnapped and strangled Athena in the vehicle on November 22, 2022. (KDFW-TV)
Alise Amey, a former crime scene investigator for the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, said that it was recommended that they remove the floor from the truck because Athena had markings on her face that matched the pattern on the truck’s floor.
“There were markings on the victim’s face that were consistent with the floor,” Amey testified.
Once they were removed, Amey said they were bagged in brown paper because they were so large.
Jurors were shown the exterior of Tanner Horner’s FedEx vehicle where he strangled 7-year-old Athena Strand in Nov. 2022. (KDFW-TV)
FOX 4 Dallas reported that as additional crime scene photos were shared with the jury, the court’s video feed to be blurred.
The hours of evidence shown to jurors throughout the week came as prosecutors used opening statements to paint Horner as calculating, violent and remorseless in the killing of Athena.
“First thing Tanner Horner says to Athena when he picks her up, puts her in that truck, leans down, and he says, ‘Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you,’” prosecutor James Stainton told jurors in opening statements Tuesday.
“I’m going to tell you right now. One thing you’re going to hear that is something you can’t unhear is the level of fight that a 7-year-old girl has. When she’s facing down a certain death.”
WATCH: Tanner Horner pleads guilty to killing Texas 7-year-old
On the first day of the trial, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. In the punishment phase, the jury will decide if Horner will receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
“Mr. Horner, to the charge of capital murder, you may plead guilty or not guilty. What is your plea?” the judge asked.
“Guilty, your honor,” Horner replied.
“Thank you. I will accept your plea,” the judge said.
A newly released photo shows 7-year-old Athena Strand shortly before prosecutors say she was abducted and killed by a FedEx driver delivering her Christmas present. (POOL via KDFW-TV)
Authorities said Horner was delivering a package containing Barbie dolls intended as a Christmas gift for the 7-year-old when he abducted and killed her.
Her body was found less than 10 miles from the home after a massive search involving law enforcement officers, volunteers, dogs, horses and off-road vehicles.
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