Texas: Missing 7-year-old Girl's Body Found, FedEx Delivery Driver Arrested

By Rick Martin Dec 04 2022, 22:02 PM EST

Just two days after 7-year-old Texas girl Athena Strand was reported missing, her body was found last Friday, leading to the arrest of a FedEx driver named Tanner Lynn Horner. The 31-year-old suspect was charged with kidnapping and murder.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin stated that Horner confessed to killing the little girl and even told authorities where to find her body. The Associated Press reported that he remained jailed on Saturday, though his bail was set on a $1.5 million bond.

Sheriff Akin said in a press conference that a tip led to Horner's arrest. The suspect reportedly made a delivery to the victim's home shortly before she disappeared.

Horner also reportedly had no connection to Athena Strand nor her family except for delivering a package to them. His motive for the kidnapping and the murder of the girl is still not clear, although authorities believe he does not know the Strand family and that this was a "crime of opportunity."

"We really can't get into the content of the confession, but I will say we have a confession," stated the sheriff.

The girl's stepmother reported her missing on Wednesday from their family home in the outskirts of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The family lived in Paradise, Texas, but her body was found around 6 miles away in Boyd, Texas.

Who Is Suspect Tanner Lynn Horner?

Tanner Lynn Horner hails from Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that before his arrest for the death of Athena Stand, he did not seem to have any prior criminal record.

Before working as a FedEx driver, Horner drove for Uber and was a musician.

FedEx is cooperating with the FBI's Dallas field office investigation on this case and has released a statement regarding the incident. The delivery company offered their thoughts and prayers to the Strand family and added, "Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow surrounding this tragic event."

Overwhelming Sorrow for Texas Community for Athena Strand Murder

While Horner is facing kidnapping and murder charges, the family and community of those who knew the victim, Athena Strand, are in mourning.

Pastor Charles Pugh held an emotional service at the First Baptist Church of Cottondale last Sunday. He said in his sermon that the 7-year-old's death placed him in "overload" but added that "evil didn't win."

The church served the community where the family lived and even served as a debriefing area for law enforcement during the investigation. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that they have already scheduled a candlelight memorial service for 6 p.m. on Tuesday. They have also set up a fund for Athena's family.

Family and friends of Athena took the news of her death particularly hard. Her grandfather, Mark Strand, posted his feelings about Horner via Facebook and stated he hopes the suspect burns in hell. The church's Associate Pastor Phil Erickson, whose son goes to school with Athena, stated that his son was hit particularly hard by her death.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Athena Strand: Suspect in 7-year-old girl's death held on $1.5 million bond - CBSDFW