A sudden courtroom plea shifts focus to punishment as jurors hear graphic evidence.
WISE COUNTY, TX – A delivery driver admitted in court Tuesday to killing 7-year-old Athena Strand, bringing a swift end to the trial phase and placing the decision of life or death in the hands of a jury. Tanner L. Horner, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping just before proceedings began, immediately moving the case into its penalty phase.
Jurors are now tasked with determining whether Horner will be sentenced to life in prison or face the death penalty, as prosecutors pursue capital punishment in the case tied to the child’s disappearance and death in November.
Disturbing evidence presented in penalty phase
Prosecutor Patrick Berry warned jurors during opening statements that they will be exposed to graphic and emotional evidence, including audio recorded inside the delivery van where Athena was killed. “You’re gonna hear what a 250-pound man can do to a 67-pound child,” Berry said. “And when I say it’s horrible, I mean it. I’ve been doing this 25 years and I promise you: buckle up.”
Berry said that while video footage does not fully show the killing, the audio captures the child’s final moments. “The one thing you’re gonna hear — that is something you can’t unhear — is the level of fight that a 7-year-old girl has when she’s facing down certain death,” he said. “We talk about warriors in America. I’ll tell you, that little girl right there is a warrior. She fought with the strength of 100 men.”
Family members also testified about the lasting trauma following Athena’s death. Elizabeth “Ashley” Strand, the child’s stepmother who reported her missing, described how the family has struggled in the aftermath, including behavioral changes in another child in the home.
Investigation and confession details
Testimony revealed that Horner initially provided inconsistent statements to investigators, at first denying being at the home before later claiming he had stopped deliveries because he felt sick. Authorities connected him to the case after determining a package had been delivered to Athena’s home around the time she vanished.
Investigators reviewed interior camera footage from the delivery vehicle, which allegedly showed Horner with a young girl matching Athena’s description inside the van. After being located, Horner confessed to striking the child with his truck before abducting and killing her.
“[Horner] stated when he was backing up in his FedEx truck he accidentally hit Athena with the truck, but she was not seriously injured, [and he] panicked and put her in the van,” according to the arrest affidavit. “[Horner] stated Athena was alive at that time, talking to him, and told him her name was Athena.”
The affidavit further states Horner admitted to killing the child after deciding she might report the incident. “[Horner] stated he attempted to break Athena’s neck to kill her,” the document says. “[Horner] stated, when he attempted to break Athena’s neck it did not work so he strangled her with his bare hands in the back of the FedEx van.”
Authorities said Horner later led them to a location near the Trinity River in Boyd, where Athena’s body was found about 10 miles from her home.
Sheriff recalls devastating moment
Former Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin testified about informing the family that Athena had been found dead. “It was heartbreaking, and they were just devastated,” Akin said. “I wish I could have done something to make it better. We were hoping, right to the last minute, that she was alive and well.”
At the time of her disappearance, Athena had received a package containing a Christmas gift, which her mother said was a Barbie doll. The child had been planning to return to Oklahoma after the holiday period.
Jurors are expected to hear additional testimony and review further evidence before determining Horner’s sentence.
Athena Strand case, Tanner Horner guilty plea, Wise County murder trial, FedEx driver murder Texas, death penalty jury decision
