Tanner Horner Sentenced to Death for Athena Strand Murder

Tanner Horner was sentenced to death by a Tarrant County jury on Tuesday for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand. According to multiple reports, Horner pleaded guilty just moments before his trial began last month, transitioning directly into the sentencing phase where emotional testimony, graphic video, and audio evidence were presented.

The jury heard heart-wrenching testimony from both of Strand's parents during the two-week hearing. Prosecutors called numerous expert witnesses to testify about Horner's mental health and medical history, including his mother and grandmother who spoke about his childhood. The defense argued for life imprisonment without parole, but Wise County District Attorney James Stainton told jurors that the only just outcome was the death penalty.

After deliberating for over two hours, the jury returned with a verdict of death by lethal injection. Elijah Strand, Athena's uncle, delivered an emotional impact statement in court, stating that Horner not only took a daughter from this world but also a granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. He emphasized that Horner had robbed his family of safety and peace.

Horner was working as a FedEx delivery driver when he accidentally struck Athena with his truck while backing out of her driveway on November 30, 2022. Panicking, he placed her into his van and strangled her. Two days later, Athena's body was found about nine miles away from her home.

During the court proceedings, an audio recording of Athena Strand's last moments inside Horner's delivery vehicle was played for the jury. Elijah Strand described the devastation caused by Horner, stating that he had destroyed a family and left them with 'an emptiness that can never be filled.' The family previously filed a lawsuit against Horner, FedEx, and Big TopSpin Inc., alleging failure to conduct background checks.

FedEx expressed their condolences following the tragedy but has not provided an updated comment since Horner's sentencing. Big TopSpin Inc. could not be contacted for comment. The execution date for Horner is yet to be determined, and it will take place before sunrise by lethal injection.

According to the Los Angeles Times, jurors found that there was a probability Horner would commit criminal violence and be a continuing threat to society. They said there was nothing in the commission of the crime or in Horner’s background to warrant life without parole instead of death. The trial was moved from rural Wise County to Fort Worth after Horner's attorneys argued that he would not have received a fair trial.

The Los Angeles Times also reported that several jurors cried as they were shown video and heard audio from inside the van after Athena was taken. He could be seen lifting her into the van, and then driving away, telling her not to scream or he’d hurt her. Horner then covered the camera, but the audio continued recording. Horner asks Athena questions, including how old she is and where she goes to school, before stopping the van and telling her they are going to “hang out.” Horner tells her to take off her shirt and she begins crying, and asks whether he’s a kidnapper.

A medical examiner testified that Athena died of blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation. While acknowledging during opening statements that the evidence against Horner was “overwhelming” and “terrible,” Horner’s attorney, Steven Goble, told jurors that Horner’s mother drank while she was pregnant, that he has autism and suffered from “various mental illnesses throughout his life” in addition to being exposed to a “massive amount of lead.”