A Texas jury on Tuesday sentenced Tanner Lynn Horner to death by lethal injection for the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in a case that has haunted the community of Paradise, Texas since November 2022.
Horner, a former FedEx delivery driver, pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping last month, just before his trial was scheduled to begin. Following his guilty plea, the jury was tasked with determining whether Horner would receive life in prison or capital punishment. After deliberation, they chose the latter.
The crime occurred in November 2022 when Horner was delivering packages for FedEx. He kidnapped Athena from outside her father's home in Paradise, Texas while dropping off a Christmas gift for her. Horner strangled the child to death inside his delivery van.
The little girl had arrived home on the school bus and was reported missing approximately two hours after being dropped off. Her disappearance prompted an extensive search effort involving law enforcement and volunteers throughout the community.
Athena's body was discovered two days later. Police received a tip that led them to Horner, resulting in his arrest.
During the trial, the jury was shown footage of Athena in Horner's van. The evidence presented painted a devastating picture of the final moments of the young girl's life.
Following the sentencing, Athena's uncle, Elijah Strand, addressed Horner directly in court on behalf of the family. His words were pointed and emotional: "You destroyed a family. You will feel the wrath of God."
The death sentence brings a measure of legal closure to a case that has devastated the Strand family and shocked the Paradise community. Horner now joins others on Texas's death row, where he awaits execution by lethal injection.