TX ATHENA STRAND: Missing from Wise County, TX - 30 Nov 2022 - Age 7 *Found Deceased*

1669917256365.png 1669917270026.png
www.fox4news.com

AMBER Alert issued for 7-year-old Wise County girl

An AMBER Alert was issued Thursday afternoon for 7-year-old Athena Strand, even though the sheriff doesn’t have evidence to indicate that she was abducted.
www.fox4news.com www.fox4news.com

Search for 7-year-old girl who went missing in Wise County​

A number of local law enforcement departments are taking part in a search for a 7-year-old girl who was reported missing on Wednesday night.

A parent called the Wise County Sheriff's Office just after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday saying her daughter, Athena Strand was nowhere to be found.

Wise County Sheriff's Office, DPS, Texas Rangers, Fort Worth PD, Bridgeport PD, local fire departments, Wise County EMS, Search Rescue One and several others searched the area around the 200 block of County Road 3573 in Paradise.

A massive search is underway in Paradise on Thursday morning.





www.crimewatchers.net

ATHENA STRAND: Missing from Wise County, TX since 30 Nov 2022 - Age 7

Police are searching for Athena Strand after her mother reported her missing from their home Wednesday evening. Authorities believe her health and safety are in danger. Police said Strand was last seen near the 200 block of County Road 3573 in...
www.crimewatchers.net www.crimewatchers.net
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Click to expand...
www.wfla.com

‘I choose Love’: Athena Strand’s grandfather forgives FedEx driver who abducted, killed 7-year-old

(WFLA) — The grandfather of a 7-year-old Texas girl who was murdered after being abducted from her home said he now forgives the man who confessed to the crime. Last Wednesday, Athena Strand went m…
www.wfla.com www.wfla.com

‘I choose Love’: Athena Strand’s grandfather forgives FedEx driver who abducted, killed 7-year-old​

The grandfather of a 7-year-old Texas girl who was murdered after being abducted from her home said he now forgives the man who confessed to the crime.


Saturday, Athena’s grandfather, Mark Strand, wrote on Facebook that he was furious at Horner for taking the 7-year-old from her family.

“I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the psycho that took our Athena away from us,” Strand wrote.

However, he said there was also a “soft gentle voice” in the back of his head that told him to forgive Horner.

“If I allow this hate to consume me, that voice will fade and eventually be silenced,” Strand wrote. “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.”

And so, the grandfather said he would forgive the murder suspect, but not for his sake.

“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,” Strand said. “I do this to honor our precious Athena who knew no hate. This man won’t be allowed any real estate to live in my brain. … Today, I choose Love and hate loses.”
 
www.sportskeeda.com

“Sometimes I hear her cries”: Chilling lyrics penned by Tanner Lynn Horner come to light following arrest over Athena Strand murder

Days after the horrifying murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, multiple news outlets have unearthed disturbing lyrics penned by a FedEx driver accused of murdering the young girl.
www.sportskeeda.com www.sportskeeda.com

“Sometimes I hear her cries”: Chilling lyrics penned by Tanner Lynn Horner come to light following arrest over Athena Strand murder​

Days after the horrifying murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, multiple news outlets have unearthed disturbing lyrics penned by a FedEx driver accused of murdering the young girl.

www.mysanantonio.com

What we know of the man accused of killing 7-year-old Texas girl

'You kind of forget that you never know who your neighbor is.'
www.mysanantonio.com www.mysanantonio.com

What we know about Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand​

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin told the Star-Telegram that the kidnapping and killing of Athena was a "crime of opportunity." Horner, a FedEx contract driver, stands accused of kidnapping Athena when he delivered a package to her house. Police say Horner had no personal connection to Athena's family.

Horner is expected to be charged with capital murder of a person under 10 years old and aggravated kidnapping. His bond is set at $1.5 million.


Law enforcement discovered Athena's body along the Trinity River near Boyd Road in Azle, Texas, which is northwest of Fort Worth, on Friday evening, according to the Star Telegram. Officials are still trying to determine the cause of death, but say she died within an hour of being kidnapped.

There was no sign that she was hit by a vehicle, as some had speculated Horner hit Athena with his FedEx truck.


The Star-Telegram reported that Horner doesn't appear to have a prior criminal record in Tarrant or Wise counties. Police said Horner confessed to the crime after he was arrested.
 
www.khou.com

FedEx van video shows man taking 7-year-old Athena Strand, details of murder revealed in affidavit

Surveillance video from Tanner Horner's van shows him taking her inside the vehicle, the affidavit states.
www.khou.com www.khou.com

FedEx van video shows man taking 7-year-old Athena Strand, details of murder revealed in affidavit​

After finding the van, the affidavit states police were able to acquire footage from the van's surveillance camera that showed the 31-year-old Horner taking Strand into the vehicle.

Horner was later located and confessed to investigators he had taken Athena and that she was dead, the report details. Police said Horner told them he had accidentally hit Athena with his truck while he was backing up. According to the affidavit, Horner said Strand was not seriously injured in that collision, but said he panicked just the same and put Athena in the van.

The affidavit also notes that Horner further told investigators Strand was talking to him after she was hit, even telling him her name. Once inside the van, the affidavit continues, Horner told police he tried to break Athena's neck -- and when that didn't work, he told police, he strangled her with his bare hands in the back of the van.

Horner told police multiple times he strangled Athena because she was going to tell her father about being hit by the FedEx truck Horner was driving, the affidavit stated.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
www.wfla.com

‘I choose Love’: Athena Strand’s grandfather forgives FedEx driver who abducted, killed 7-year-old

(WFLA) — The grandfather of a 7-year-old Texas girl who was murdered after being abducted from her home said he now forgives the man who confessed to the crime. Last Wednesday, Athena Strand went m…
www.wfla.com www.wfla.com

‘I choose Love’: Athena Strand’s grandfather forgives FedEx driver who abducted, killed 7-year-old​

The grandfather of a 7-year-old Texas girl who was murdered after being abducted from her home said he now forgives the man who confessed to the crime.


Saturday, Athena’s grandfather, Mark Strand, wrote on Facebook that he was furious at Horner for taking the 7-year-old from her family.

“I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the psycho that took our Athena away from us,” Strand wrote.

However, he said there was also a “soft gentle voice” in the back of his head that told him to forgive Horner.

“If I allow this hate to consume me, that voice will fade and eventually be silenced,” Strand wrote. “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.”

And so, the grandfather said he would forgive the murder suspect, but not for his sake.

“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,” Strand said. “I do this to honor our precious Athena who knew no hate. This man won’t be allowed any real estate to live in my brain. … Today, I choose Love and hate loses.”
Click to expand...
Wow. I know some think this is what they should do. In time maybe.

I fail to see how anyone can do so in the early days and I don't think God expects us to.

But I do agree that forgiveness is not for "them" and it doesn't mean forgetting or excusing what they did.

Still, I fail to see how anyone can come to that in such a case of this so early on.

More power to him.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
www.khou.com

FedEx van video shows man taking 7-year-old Athena Strand, details of murder revealed in affidavit

Surveillance video from Tanner Horner's van shows him taking her inside the vehicle, the affidavit states.
www.khou.com www.khou.com

FedEx van video shows man taking 7-year-old Athena Strand, details of murder revealed in affidavit​

After finding the van, the affidavit states police were able to acquire footage from the van's surveillance camera that showed the 31-year-old Horner taking Strand into the vehicle.

Horner was later located and confessed to investigators he had taken Athena and that she was dead, the report details. Police said Horner told them he had accidentally hit Athena with his truck while he was backing up. According to the affidavit, Horner said Strand was not seriously injured in that collision, but said he panicked just the same and put Athena in the van.

The affidavit also notes that Horner further told investigators Strand was talking to him after she was hit, even telling him her name. Once inside the van, the affidavit continues, Horner told police he tried to break Athena's neck -- and when that didn't work, he told police, he strangled her with his bare hands in the back of the van.

Horner told police multiple times he strangled Athena because she was going to tell her father about being hit by the FedEx truck Horner was driving, the affidavit stated.
Click to expand...
I wonder if the idea that "he accidentally hit Athena with his truck" is what detectives had suggested to him could have happened in order to get him to talk.
 
www.nbcdfw.com

Arrest Warrant Details How Delivery Driver Was Identified As Suspect in Athena Strand's Murder

New court documents released this week detail how authorities were able to identify a delivery driver as the suspect in the abduction and murder of a missing Wise County child.
www.nbcdfw.com www.nbcdfw.com

Arrest Warrant Details How Delivery Driver Was Identified As Suspect in Athena Strand's Murder​

New court documents released this week detail how authorities were able to identify a delivery driver as the suspect in the abduction and murder of a missing Wise County child.


According to an arrest warrant, FedEx delivered a package to Strand's home around the time the 7-year-old went missing. Investigators later learned the company Big Topspin was the contracting company delivering packages for FedEx.

Employees from Big Topspin worked with investigators to determine which van and driver made the delivery, later identifying Horner. The van he was driving was equipped with video capability, which is run by a third-party, Velociter.

Velociter provided video from the delivery truck, which included one-minute clips.

The arrest warrant states an FBI employee reviewed the footage, which shows Horner "had taken a young girl who was visually similar to Athena in his van." He was seen on video talking to her in the van, authorities said.
 
GrandmaBear said:
Maybe they should be taking a look at where this man was when Lina Khil disappeared without a trace... Not the same town in TX but it was Texas...
Click to expand...
They are far from each other. Travel time is probably 4 1/2 - 5 hrs. Texas is a huge state geographically. And there is alot of open land.
 
www.nbcnews.com

Sexual assault charges filed against Texas delivery man accused of killing 7-year-old girl

Tanner Horner has been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a minor in addition to kidnapping and murder.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com

Sexual assault charges filed against Texas delivery man accused of killing 7-year-old girl​

Prosecutors charged the FedEx driver, arrested earlier this month and accused of killing a 7-year-old girl, with the alleged sexual assault of a minor, jail records in Texas revealed.

Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, had been booked into custody and charged with alleged capital murder and aggravated kidnapping, but Wise County jail records now show he's also facing three counts of sexual assault on a child.

The new charges appear to challenge Horner's alleged explanation to investigators for his killing of Athena Strand.
 
Yeah. Hit her with your van and were scared she would tell her dad. Said she wasn't badly injured. But killed her anyway. Firstly, I don't believe that. If it was, You're just showing what a coward you are. Secondly. You had to sexually assault her because you hit her with your van?. You can't get out of this. And a history of abuse. But...Another one that should be in jail serving time still. But yet we have another victim. I'm so tired of this.
 
According to the following article, the sexual assault charges are from three separate incidents that occurred in 2013. Delivery driver charged with the murder of a 7-year-old in Texas faces 3 unrelated sexual assault charges dating back to 2013 | CNN

Mel70 said:
Yeah. Hit her with your van and were scared she would tell her dad. Said she wasn't badly injured. But killed her anyway. Firstly, I don't believe that.
Click to expand...
It's among the most absurd excuses I've ever heard. Yeah, I believe he killed her so she couldn't tell, but I don't believe his excuse for having kidnapped her. (And those beliefs are independant of any info of the nature of a criminal hx.)
 
Regina said:
According to the following article, the sexual assault charges are from three separate incidents that occurred in 2013. Delivery driver charged with the murder of a 7-year-old in Texas faces 3 unrelated sexual assault charges dating back to 2013 | CNN


It's among the most absurd excuses I've ever heard. Yeah, I believe he killed her so she couldn't tell, but I don't believe his excuse for having kidnapped her. (And those beliefs are independant of any info of the nature of a criminal hx.)
Click to expand...
There have been some cases of an abductor hitting a child just enough to knock them off their bike to grab them.
 
New member here. I live about 10 mins from where this happened. Overheard some bar chatter (take that as you will) just a couple days ago. Small town talk is something else.
 
www.wfaa.com

Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand, indicted on capital murder charges

Horner was indicted on the charge, as well as aggravated kidnapping, on Thursday.
www.wfaa.com www.wfaa.com

Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand, indicted on capital murder charges​

Tanner Horner, the man accused of killing 7-year-old Athena Strand in November 2022, has been indicted by a Wise County grand jury for capital murder, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin confirmed to WFAA.

Horner was indicted on the capital murder charge, as well as aggravated kidnapping, on Thursday.


"I would like to thank the Wise County grand jury for their role in this process. Hearing the facts and circumstances of my 7-year-old daughter's kidnapping and murder was undoubtedly very difficult for them. I want them to know that their work is deeply appreciated," said Strand's mother, Maitlyn Gandy.


Horner is currently being held in the Wise County jail and has a $1.5 million bond. Police have said they plan to ask prosecutors to seek the death penalty if he is convicted of the charges.

"Tanner Horner's indictment is the beginning of a long road through the justice system. I appreciate everyone's continued support and for keeping Athena's name and memory alive. Please take a moment to hug your children and loved ones. No one is promised another day," said Gandy.

Horner also faces three additional charges of sexual assault of a child, unrelated to Strand's case. Those charges stem from three incidents in 2013. It is unclear if the charges are related to the same person or three separate people.
 
www.wfaa.com

Wise County DA to seek death penalty against Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand

Horner was indicted on the capital murder charge, as well as aggravated kidnapping, on Feb. 16, 2023.
www.wfaa.com www.wfaa.com

Wise County DA to seek death penalty against Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand​

Wise County's sheriff said the district attorney plans to seek the death penalty against Tanner Horner, the man accused of killing Athena Strand while working as a FedEx driver.

Sheriff Lane Akin told WFAA on Tuesday that District Attorney James Stainton planned on pursuing the death penalty against Horner, who is charged with the November 2022 death of the 7-year-old from Paradise, Texas.

Akin said the district attorney told the sheriff's office he's officially filed paperwork to seek the punishment if Horner is convicted.


Horner is currently being held in the Wise County jail and has a $1.5 million bond.

On Tuesday, Strand's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against FedEx, the contracting company Big Topspin and Horner himself.

The 18-page lawsuit, filed in Wise County, seeks “fair and reasonable” compensation for “acts and omissions” that led to the murder of Maitlyn Gandy's daughter.
 
www.fox4news.com

Tanner Horner pleads not guilty to killing, kidnapping Athena Strand

According to an arrest affidavit, Horner confessed to accidentally hitting Strand with his van while delivering a package to her home in Wise County in December 2022.
www.fox4news.com www.fox4news.com

By FOX 4 Staff
Published March 6, 2023 6:43AM
Updated 9:05AM

WISE COUNTY, Texas - Tanner Horner, the man who told police he killed 7-year-old Wise County girl Athena Strand, pleaded not guilty to capital murder and kidnapping charges on Monday morning.

Horner made his plea during an arraignment hearing in Wise County.

He opted to waive the reading of the charges against him and the reading of the arraignment.

According to an arrest affidavit, Horner confessed to accidentally hitting Strand with his van while delivering a package to her home in Wise County in December 2022.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
3,051
Messages
248,537
Members
993
Latest member
Curi/geo
Back
Top Bottom