Terrifying kidnapping during Christmas delivery
Horrific news from Paradise, Texas, where 34-year-old FedEx driver Tanner Horner has admitted to abducting and strangling seven-year-old Athena Strand. The girl was snatched in November 2022 while Horner was delivering a Barbie doll, meant as her Christmas gift, to her home.
Chilling footage reveals callousness
During the trial, jurors watched horrifying footage of Horner driving his FedEx truck back to the scene the day after the abduction. He honked and shouted at the search party, then acted shocked when a neighbour told him a “seven-year-old kid” was missing. His stunned response was: “Are you serious? That’s what all this is for?”
Disturbing audio captures final moments
Jurors broke down in tears as audio recordings played of Horner’s final moments with Athena. He told her to take off her shirt, calling her “really pretty.” Athena, terrified, asked, “Are you a kidnapper?” and repeatedly called for her mother. The horrific sounds of crying, screaming, and banging followed soon after.
Defence claims ‘alter ego’ took over
Horner initially claimed he accidentally hit Athena and panicked. Surveillance footage disproved this, showing the girl was unharmed when entering his van. He then bizarrely blamed an alter ego named “Zero,” saying “Zero” controlled his body and he felt like he was dreaming or having an out-of-body experience. Though not convicted of sexual assault, prosecutors presented strong evidence suggesting Horner sexually abused Athena. Horner denies this, insisting his medication caused a “low libido.”
Death penalty or life sentence?
The jury now faces the grim task of deciding whether Horner should get the death penalty or life without parole. With such a chilling crime, many feel neither is harsh enough. Our thoughts go out to Athena’s family in this unimaginable tragedy. RIP Athena Strand.
