According to authorities, a FedEx contract driver has been detained and is being held on suspicion of kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. Let’s see Who is FedEx driver Tanner Horner is and Why did he kidnap Athena strand and killed her in detail.
Who is FedEx driver Tanner Horner?
Tanner Lynn Horner, a FedEx contract driver, was detained by authorities on Friday. They claim he is accused of killing a 7-year-old North Texas child after making a delivery to her house and then kidnapping her. 31-year-old Horner is from Fort Worth.
In Tarrant or Wise counties, he doesn’t seem to have any past convictions. He was being held Friday night in the Wise County Jail under a $1.5 million bond for the aggravated kidnapping and capital murder allegations related to Athena Strand’s passing. After being reported missing by her stepmother for two days, Athena’s body was discovered on Friday night.
According to the authorities, Horner has admitted to the crime. Sheriff Lane Akin of Wise County declined to comment on any potential reasons for the kidnapping and homicide. Investigators, he claimed, don’t think Horner was familiar with Athena or her family.
According to Horner’s social media profiles, he is a musician, a former Uber driver, and an Azle High School alumnus.
FedEx issued a statement late Friday
“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, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities. At this time, any further questions should be directed to law enforcement.”
Horner’s address is listed in property records as being in the Fort Worth city limits, on the west side of the lake, even though investigators claimed during the news conference that they thought he was from Lake Worth.
To be clear, the guy doesn’t live in Lake Worth City; instead, he lives kilometers from COLW near the lake. Lake Worth Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian stated this on Twitter. Please keep Athena’s family and the cops looking into this horrible murder in your prayers.
To be clear, the suspect does NOT reside in the City of Lake Worth, but rather near the lake itself – miles away from COLW.
Please continue to lift up Athena’s family in prayer along with the officers investigating this heinous crime. https://t.co/26lVUmrnuw
— Chief J.T. Manoushagian (@LWPD_CHIEF) December 3, 2022
Athena strand’s Body Discovered
The body of the missing 7-year-old Texas girl was discovered. Athena Strand, a 7-year-old Texas girl who vanished two days ago, was found dead six miles from her house, according to the authorities.
According to digital evidence and a confession, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin claimed that a FedEx truck driver kidnapped Athena and that she most likely passed away within an hour.
Tanner Lynn Horner, the driver, is being detained at the Wise County Jail on suspicion of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. He is 31 years old. According to Mr. Akin, Horner left a package at the child’s house around the time Athena vanished. About 200 yards from the house, in her driveway, she was likely abducted, he said.
Police Investigation
Police report that the case has changed from a search to an investigation. ICYMI: Athena Strand’s case is now an investigation, according to officials in Wise County, Texas, who announced during a news conference on Friday.
Although foul play is not currently suspected, Sheriff Lane Akin issued a warning that it is still a possibility. According to Mr. Akin, there is currently no proof that Athena was kidnapped, but it is still a possibility.
In the 48 hours after Athena went missing, more than 300 volunteers helped a big number of police officers in the search. In addition, dog teams, helicopters, and thermal imaging are deployed. Athena was last spotted sporting a blouse, floral-printed jeans with pockets, and dark brown boots. Overall, information surrounding her disappearance is still scant.
READ ALSO, Who is Athena Presley Monroe strand?
Athena Strand: Who is she?
In case you missed it, Athena Strand, 7, has been missing from her Paradise, Texas, home since Wednesday (30 November). The following day, her stepmother reported her missing, and the Wise County Sheriff’s Office put out an Amber Alert for her.
After an altercation, the stepmother discovered Athena was not in her room and filed a complaint at approximately 6.40 p.m. on Wednesday.
The dispute was not “uncommon,” according to officials, who also claimed that the child “walked away” but didn’t return during a news conference on Friday.
Her health and safety are feared to be in jeopardy, and while foul play is not currently suspected, an abduction has not been ruled out, according to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin. When stepmom returned to collect Athena after leaving to prepare dinner, she discovered that she wasn’t in her room.
Breaking: We were talking to neighbors on CR 4599, roughly 7 mi away from Athena Strand’s Paradise home. Suddenly, we were approached by Wise Co. Sheriff’s deputies & told to move back immediately. We saw law enforcement gathering near a deep ditch on the side of the road. #FOX4 pic.twitter.com/Xwb6xcMQjc
— Macy Jenkins (@MacyJJenkins) December 2, 2022
Athena’s Family Statement
On Wednesday at 4:15 pm, Athena stepped from her school bus. Athena’s stepmother reported her missing from her Paradise home at 6:40 p.m. by dialing 911.
When the girl wasn’t in her room later, she informed detectives there had been a fight. She started seeking the girl first, according to the sheriff, so she delayed telling authorities by an hour.
The only other adult present, according to Akin, was the girl’s stepmother. When the father was informed of what had occurred, he was en route to South Texas for a deer shooting trip.
Both of the girl’s parents and the stepmother, according to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, have cooperated throughout. Akin claimed he couldn’t remember making any prior calls to the house.
Maitlyn Gandy, Athena’s mother, resides in southwestern Oklahoma. Despite having sole custody of her daughter, she permitted her to spend the fall semester in Texas with her father and stepmother, and she was admitted to FOX 4.
“Both the mother, the father, and the stepmother were interviewed. They have been quite helpful, “added Akin. Athena’s mother drove from Oklahoma and was observed conversing with detectives at the scene of the search.
It is unknown what caused Athena’s passing. To the office of the medical examiner goes her body.
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Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.
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