FedEx Driver Admits to 'Tossing' Body of Murdered 7-Year-Old Girl

Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder of Athena Strand in Texas

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of physical evidence related to the Athena Strand murder case, such as a broken tree branch or a discarded piece of clothing, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the grim details of this tragic crime.Disturbing evidence from the Athena Strand murder case exposes the brutal reality of violent crime against children.Boyd Today

A former FedEx driver who murdered 7-year-old Athena Strand told investigators he 'kind of tossed' her into the woods after killing her, according to interrogation video shown to jurors. Tanner Horner, 34, initially claimed he had accidentally hit Athena with his delivery truck, but has since admitted to strangling the girl after abducting her while delivering a package to her father's home in Paradise, Texas.

Why it matters

The disturbing case has sparked outrage and raised questions about safety protocols for delivery services operating in residential areas. Athena's death has also highlighted the vulnerability of children to predatory violence, even in their own neighborhoods.

The details

Prosecutors said the evidence would show Horner covered a camera, threatened Athena, and carried out a prolonged attack inside the truck before dumping her body in a rural area near Boyd, Texas. Horner then returned to work, drove the same truck, and continued delivering packages as the community searched desperately for the missing child.

  • Athena disappeared in November 2022 from her father's property in Paradise, Texas.
  • Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Tanner Horner

A 34-year-old former FedEx driver who pleaded guilty to capital murder in the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand.

Athena Strand

A 7-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered by Tanner Horner while he was delivering a package to her father's home in Paradise, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“First thing Tanner Horner says to Athena when he picks her up, puts her in that truck, leans down, and he says, 'Don't scream or I'll hurt you.'”

— James Stainton, Prosecutor

“We have DNA. Not only do we have initial DNA from Athena that has Tanner Horner's DNA under her fingernails. We also have Tanner Horner's DNA in places where you shouldn't find DNA on a 7-year-old girl.”

— James Stainton, Prosecutor

What’s next

The jury will decide whether Tanner Horner should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole.

The takeaway

This horrific case has shaken the community and raised urgent questions about the safety of delivery services operating in residential areas, as well as the need for stronger protections for vulnerable children.