A chilling photograph captures 7-year-old Athena Strand just moments before she was allegedly abducted and killed by a FedEx driver, who was delivering her Christmas gift. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community.

Prosecutors unveiled the photograph on Tuesday, depicting the young girl standing behind Tanner Horner on the fateful day in November 2022 when she was strangled in Texas. The image serves as a somber reminder of the events that unfolded.

In the haunting black-and-white photo, Athena appears noticeably uncomfortable, while Horner concentrates on the road ahead, unaware of the tragedy about to ensue.

The image, shared by authorities, highlights the gravity of the situation. It shows Athena, moments before her life was cut short, in what was supposed to be a joyous occasion of receiving a Christmas present.

Tanner Horner, 34, a former FedEx delivery driver, stands accused of the heinous crime of kidnapping and strangling the young girl after reportedly hitting her with his van. On Tuesday morning, he confessed to her capital murder in a Tarrant County courtroom.

The trial commenced on Tuesday with Judge George Gallagher overseeing the proceedings. As the jury took their seats, Horner was asked to stand, marking the beginning of the trial that seeks justice for Athena’s untimely death.

“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.

Authorities said Athena Strand, 7, was kidnapped and murdered by 30-year-old FedEx delivery driver Tanner Lynn Horner.  (Wise County Sheriff’s Office)

Horner admitted to abducting Strand while delivering a package to her father’s home in Paradise, a town of fewer than 500 people about 60 miles northwest of Dallas. Her body was found on Dec. 2 two days after she was reported missing less than 10 miles away from the property.

Horner, authorities said, was delivering a package of Barbie dolls intended to be Strand’s Christmas present. Athena was set to return to Oklahoma with her mother after the holidays and had been staying with her father, Jacob Strand, and stepmother, Ashley Strand, in Wise County.

According to the arrest warrant, Horner told investigators that he strangled the 7-year-old after accidentally hitting her with his van while making a delivery at her father’s home. He said Strand wasn’t seriously hurt after he hit her while backing up, but he panicked and put her in his van. 

Athena’s stepmother, Ashley Strand, testified on Tuesday, April 7 about their family’s home in the small city of Paradise, in Wise County. She said they lived in a rural area that didn’t get much traffic. (POOL via KDFW-TV)

On Tuesday, Ashley Strand testified sharing the immediate aftermath when she realized that her stepdaughter had vanished.

“I thought maybe she was just hiding somewhere,” her stepmom said.

The only thing she noticed that was unusual or out of place on the property was a package from Walmart containing Barbie dolls that she had ordered for Athena as a Christmas present. It had been dropped off in front of an abandoned trailer that was on the property.

Former FedEx delivery driver Tanner Horner was dropping off a box of Barbies — a Christmas present for Athena Strand— to her father’s home on Nov. 30, 2022. (Varghese and Summersett Law Group)

Athena was reported missing, and eventually an Amber Alert was issued, leading to 72 hours of searching.

Wise County’s former Sheriff Lane Akin also testified, sharing that the search efforts for the 7-year-old was a grassroots effort with community members standing “shoulder to shoulder” with police.

“I’ll never forget the morning of Dec. 1, citizens came from all parts of Wise County to help us find that child. And we put them to work with our deputies, with our investigators, with our game wardens. It was shoulder to shoulder. We had what we estimated was about 300 citizens and they brought their 4-wheelers. Some brought horses. Some brought dogs,” Akin said. “I appreciate the fact that so many people came out to help us that day.”

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