Grandfather says he FORGIVES the FedEx driver who abducted and killed his ... trends now
The grandfather of a seven-year-old Texas girl who was kidnapped and murdered by a FedEx driver said despite wrestling with anger towards the deranged killer, he forgives him.
In an emotional Facebook post, Mark Strand wrote that despite part of him wanting 'five 5 minutes alone in a cell' with 31-year-old Tanner Horner, he decided to listen to another part that told him forgiveness was the only way for him and his family to recover.
Horner snatched Athena Strand from the driveway of her family home in Paradise, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon, and she was found dead on Friday. Police said she was likely killed within an hour of her kidnapping.
Police were able to connect Horner to the killing based on a tip-off and his FedEx delivery route that day.
He confessed shortly after being apprehended, and now faces capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges.
In an emotional Facebook post, Mark Strand wrote that despite part of him wanting 'five 5 minutes alone in a cell' with 31-year-old Tanner Horner, he decided to listen to another part that told him forgiveness was the only way for him and his family to recover
Athena Strand was snatched from the driveway of her family home in Paradise, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, confessed to police to abducting and killing Athena on Wednesday afternoon
Mark characterized his internal turmoil over his decision to forgive Horner as a battle between good and evil.
'This man I am, is angry and I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the psycho that took our Athena away from us, but there's a soft gentle voice in the back of my head telling me I need to forgive him,' he wrote.
'If I allow this hate to consume me, that voice will fade and eventually be silenced. Then that ugly spirit of hate will have succeeded and that's why this gentle voice persists to tell me I need to forgive this man.'
'There's not one ounce of my flesh that wants to do this or say this, but my spirit has heard God's voice and right now, while tears flood my eyes, I declare publicly that I forgive this man!'
'Hate will not win. I hope my family will understand that I don't do this for the sake of this man. I do this for the sake of my family and myself and to Honor the voice of God who is giving me the strength to say this. I do this to honor our precious Athena who knew no hate.'
'Love Conquers All and Forgives. Today, I choose Love and hate loses,' he concluded.
Mark Strand characterized his internal turmoil over his decision to forgive Horner as a battle between good and evil
Police said Athena was likely killed within an hour of her kidnapping on Wednesday
Horner is the only suspect authorities believe is responsible in the case, Akin said. He did not have any relation or connection to the family.
According to the Wise County Sheriff's Office, the child was dropped off at home from school at her home in Paradise at 4.30pm on Wednesday.
At some point afterward, the youngster was outside her home after an argument with her stepmother. At the same time, Horner was delivering a FedEx package to her house.
When Strand didn't come back inside and could not be found in her bedroom, her step-mom reported her missing to police around 6.40pm.
Police believe the girl was likely abducted from her driveway, just 200 yards away from the safety of her home.
The FedEx van Homer was said to have been driving was found several 10 miles away from where Athena was abducted
Authorities were only able to connect the dots between Athena's disappearance and Horner's delivery route following a tip off
Athena Strand was said to have been outside of her home following an argument with her step-mom. When she could not be found shortly afterwards, the alarm was raised
Authorities were only able to connect the dots between Strand's disappearance and Horner's delivery route following a tip-off, with the FBI, Texas Rangers and Wise County Sheriff's Offices working in tandem to bring the case to a speedy yet tragic end, although two false leads sent police looking in the wrong places for the girl.
The youngster's body was eventually found 10 miles away from her home.
The County Sheriff paid tribute to locals that had assisted with the investigation which saw hundreds of volunteers coming out to help with a massive search.
'This community does not like losing our children and we could see it because of all the people who came out and helped us throughout this ordeal,' Akin said.
'It's one of the toughest investigations that I've been involved in because it's a child, and anytime there's a child dies, it hits you in your heart. You compare that child to your own children when they were at that age', he added.
Asked about the family's reaction to the girl's death: 'They're devastated,' Akin said.
'They're angry because of what happened -- a precious child taken from their lives.'
FedEx released a statement on Friday night expressing their condolences to the family: 'Words cannot describe our shock at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time.'
Athena Strand pictured with her mother Maitlyn Gandy. Gandy wrote on Facebook: 'Athena is innocent, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and just the brightest happiest soul you could ever meet
The grieving mother of Athena paid a heartbreaking tribute to her 'beautiful princess.'
Mourning mom Maitlyn Gandy said Athena was kidnapped and murdered by 'a sick, cruel monster' for absolutely no reason just hours after Horner admitted to the twisted crime.
Heartbroken Gandy wrote: 'Athena is innocent, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and just the brightest, happiest soul you could ever meet.'
'I don't want her to be the girl known as the one murdered and discarded by a monster. I want everyone to know, every single person in this world, that this is my baby and my baby was taken from me.'
23-year-old Shay Marie, shown here, says that when she was 16 years old, Tanner Horner got her drunk and took advantage of her
