A seven-year-old girl’s body was discovered in Texas two days after she was reportedly kidnapped by a FedEx driver who was delivering a box.
The body of 7-year-old Athena Strand has been found some 10 miles from where she was taken
Athena Strand was discovered dead on Friday evening in Wise County, northwest of Dallas, according to authorities.
Investigators said she likely died ‘within an hour’ of her abduction from her Paradise home.
Tanner Horner, 31, of Lake Worth, admitted to the kidnapping and murder of Athena.
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, confessed to police to abducting and killing Athena on Wednesday afternoon
Police disclosed that digital evidence and testimonies indicate the child did not survive more than an hour after being abducted.
Athena Strand’s corpse was discovered around 10 miles from where she was abducted.
Wednesday afternoon, 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner admitted to abducting and murdering Athena, according to authorities.
The FedEx van Homer was allegedly driving was discovered 10 miles distant from the abduction site of Athena.
The FedEx van Homer was said to have been driving was found several 10 miles away from where Athena was abducted
Homer is being jailed on $1.5 million bail after being charged with capital murder and aggravated abduction.
Sheriff Lane Akin stated during a press conference on Friday evening, “We’re just disappointed that it didn’t finish the way we had hoped.”
Akin stated that officials believe only Horner is guilty for the crime. He had no relationship or connection with the family.
Wednesday at 4.30 p.m., according to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the youngster was dropped off at her Paradise home from school.
After a dispute with her stepmother, the adolescent eventually found herself outside of her house. Simultaneously, Horner was delivering a FedEx box to her residence.
Athena Strand was said to have been outside of her home following an argument with her step-mom. When she could not be found shortly afterwards, the alarm was raised
Following a dispute with her stepmother, Athena Strand was reportedly outside of her residence. When she was not located shortly thereafter, the alarm was aroused.
Horner was a contract FedEx truck driver who was bringing a box to Athena’s family residence when the alleged kidnapping occurred.
Athena’s stepmother reported her missing to police at 6:40 p.m. after she did not return home and could not be located in her bedroom.
The police suspect the youngster was stolen from her driveway, which is about 200 yards from her home.
Police were only able to connect the dots between Athena’s disappearance and Horner’s delivery route after receiving a tip. The FBI, Texas Rangers, and Wise County Sheriff’s Offices worked together to bring the case to a swift but tragic conclusion, despite the fact that two false leads led them to look in the wrong places for the girl.
The girl’s body was later discovered 10 kilometers from her house.
Athena Strand was found dead on Friday night, police in Wise County, northwest of Dallas confirmed but police revealed that she likely died ‘within an hour’ of her being kidnapped
The County Sheriff praised the hundreds of volunteers who participated in a major search as a result of their participation in the inquiry.
Athena Strand’s body was discovered on Friday night in Wise County, northwest of Dallas, according to authorities, although she likely died ‘within an hour’ of her abduction.
It’s one of the most difficult investigations I’ve been a part of because it involves a child, and whenever a child dies, it breaks your heart. You compare this youngster to your own children at the same age,’ Sheriff Lane Akin of Wise County, Texas, stated.
‘It’s one of the toughest investigations that I’ve been involved in because it’s a child, and anytime there’s a child dies, it hits you in your heart. You compare that child to your own children when they were at that age’, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin, pictured, added
Akin stated, “This community does not enjoy losing children, and we were able to observe that since so many individuals assisted us during this hardship.”
It’s one of the most difficult investigations I’ve been a part of because it involves a child, and whenever a child dies, it breaks your heart. You compare this youngster to your own children at the same age,’ he continued.
Akin, when asked about the family’s reaction to the girl’s death, responded, “They are distraught.”
A wonderful kid was ripped from their lives, and as a result, they are enraged.
FedEx issued a statement on Friday evening offering their sympathies to the family: ‘Words cannot express our horror at the news of this awful tragedy. Our thoughts are foremost with the family during this most trying moment.