Warning: this article contains details of a child’s death that some may find disturbing.
Jurors in the case against Tanner Horner were played deeply distressing audio involving seven-year-old Athena Strand before they reached a decision that resulted in a death sentence.
On Tuesday (May 5), Horner, 34, was sentenced to death for the abduction and killing of Athena after a trial that stretched over several weeks and began in April.
Athena was taken from her home near Fort Worth, Texas, in November 2022. Horner, a former FedEx driver, was identified as the suspect.
Reports say Horner had delivered a Christmas present to the family’s address on the day Athena disappeared. Her body was discovered two days later a short distance from the property.
Horner was arrested and later faced charges including aggravated kidnapping and capital murder, to which he ultimately pleaded guilty.
Prosecutors believe that on the day Athena was killed, Horner forced her into his FedEx truck and warned her: “Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you.”
Investigators said Horner obscured the vehicle’s internal camera after Athena was inside the truck, limiting what could be seen. However, audio continued recording, and that material was later played to the jury.
Before the audio was heard in court, Judge George Gallagher cautioned those present (per USA Today): “If you think you cannot watch it or listen to it, leave now. Now’s your time to get out.”
Athena’s parents left the courtroom at that point. Jurors, however, remained and were described as visibly shaken and in tears after hearing the recording.
At one stage, Athena asked Horner if he was kidnapping her. The audio also captured him attempting to deflect before telling her: “You’re really pretty. You know that?”
The recording further included Horner asking Athena to removed her t-shirt. She refused and asked to be taken home.
As ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ played on the truck’s radio, Horner is heard telling Athena to be quiet and threatening further harm if she continued screaming.
The audio then continued into the moments when Athena was attacked and killed, which jurors were required to hear.
Family members testified during the trial, describing the impact of Athena’s death and the loss they continue to live with.
Her uncle, Elijah Strand, told the court (per NBC News): “Athena was more than a headline. She was laughter, curiosity, kindness and innocence.
“And she had dreams that she will never get to chase, birthdays that she will never celebrate and a life she’ll never get to live, because of his actions.”
Footage shown in court included Horner dropping off a Christmas gift at Athena Strand’s home, a package containing ‘You Can Be Anything’ Barbie dolls.
According to accounts presented, Athena had argued with her stepmother, Elizabeth Strand, and is believed to have gone outside toward a converted storage shed where she had been sleeping while renovations were underway.
She was then kidnapped, and authorities believe she died roughly an hour after she was reported missing.
CBS reports police identified and located Horner that same day using digital evidence.
An Amber Alert was issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety as the search intensified. About 200 volunteers assisted in combing more than 50 acres, but Athena was not found during those efforts.
Police later located Athena’s naked body near a river in Boyd, around nine miles from her home. Investigators said Horner initially provided two incorrect locations before ultimately directing them to the correct site.
Authorities said Horner first claimed he had run over Athena and panicked, before later admitting he killed her.
He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and capital murder, and held on a $1.5 million bond.
At an arraignment in Wise County, Horner entered a not guilty plea.
Court proceedings were reportedly delayed by issues including representation and concerns about the effects of pre-trial publicity.
As the trial was about to begin, Horner changed his plea to guilty.
That meant jurors were tasked with deciding whether he should receive a death sentence or spend the rest of his life in prison.
The jury considered two central questions: whether Horner would likely remain a continuing threat to society, and whether any mitigating circumstances existed that should prevent a death sentence.
Horner was ultimately sentenced to death by lethal injection.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.