FedEx driver who killed Athena Strand, 7, hit her with van and strangled her ... trends now
The FedEx driver accused of abducting and killing a 7-year-old girl last week in Texas told authorities that he strangled her after accidentally hitting her with his van while making a delivery at her home, according to an arrest warrant.
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, told investigators that Athena Strand wasn't seriously hurt after he hit her while backing up, but he panicked and put her in his van. He said she was talking to him and told him her name.
When Athena began saying she was going to tell her father about the accident, Horner attempted to silence her by breaking her neck and kill her, according to the affidavit.
But Horner said he was unable to break her neck, so he strangled her 'with his bare hands' in his FedEx truck, the affidavit said.
Investigators identified Horner as a suspect by after they learned FedEx had delivered a package at about the time Athena went missing. When they took him in for questioning, Horner told authorities what happened and said he would be willing to take them to the body.
He brought police to a body of water, where Athena's lifeless body was found and identified.
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, told investigators that Athena Strand wasn't seriously hurt after he hit her while backing up, but he panicked and put her in his van. He said she was talking to him and told him her name
The young girl's body was found just six miles from where she was taken
At a news conference Thursday, Maitlyn Gandy — the mother of Athena — told how Horner, was delivering a You Can Be Anything Barbie to Strand's father and stepmother's house in Paradise, Texas, last Wednesday when he allegedly snatched the young girl and killed her.
'This package is the first time I'm seeing it,' Gandy said of the now-opened Walmart box, as she explained that the Barbie dolls were set to be a Christmas present for her daughter.
'Athena was robbed of the opportunity to grow up to be anything she wanted to be — and this present, ordered out of innocence and love, is one she will never receive.'
Horner is being held at the Wise County Law Enforcement Center in Texas on a $1.5million bond, as prosecutors work to seek the death penalty. He is facing capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges.
Horner, 31, confessed to police to abducting and killing Athena Strand, 7, Wednesday afternoon. Authorities are now seeking the death penalty in his case
The box Horner was delivering included You Can Be Anything Barbie dolls meant for Strand
Maitlyn Gandy — the mother of Athena Strand — told how Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was delivering a Christmas present for her daughter when he allegedly kidnapped and killed her
Texas authorities said Horner's case is scheduled to be turned over to the district attorney next week.
In the meantime, the Wise County Sheriff's Office will continue to follow-up on tips they receive from the public so they can build an air-tight case against him.
'Because of the age of the child, and because it was an abduction, we are going to pursue the death penalty,' Sheriff Lane Atkin told WFAA.
Meanwhile, the attorneys representing Gandy and her family are planning to conduct their own investigation to determine whether FedEx could have done more to prevent the tragedy.
Benson Varghese would not go as far as to announce a lawsuit against the shipping company, but asked community members to contact them with any information — even if they, too, had just received a package from Horner that day.
'We want a thorough investigation,' he said, as he told reporters that he has a number of people he would like to speak with.
He added that he 'wholeheartedly agrees' with the sheriff's decision to seek the death penalty, saying: 'It is undoubtedly appreciated.'
Gandy vowed she will continue to seek justice for her daughter.
'I will spend the rest of my life fighting for her so that no other family will endure such unbearable pain and grief,' she said.
'A monster attempted to take Athena's voice — but we are her voice,' Gandy told reporters Thursday, adding: 'Screening and hiring policies must be put into place so that monsters wearing delivery uniforms don't show up on our children's footsteps.'
Gandy said she will continue to seek justice for her daughter, saying 'screening and hiring policies must be put into place so that monsters wearing delivery uniforms don't show up on our children's footsteps'
The FedEx van Homer was said to have been driving was found several miles away from where Athena was abducted
FedEx released a statement on Friday night expressing its 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.'
When asked about their hiring practices, a spokesperson for FedEx told FOX News Digital that it 'contracts for transportation, pickup, and delivery services with more than 6,000 independent businesses
