Texas authorities have revealed that a FedEx contract driver has admitted to kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Athena Strand.
Athens She disappeared from her homeParadise north TexasOn Wednesday 30 November.
Two days of intense scanning and searching for the missing first grader by hundreds of law enforcement officers, relatives and volunteers took place in the area.
Friday saw authorities announce that they had taken an arrest warrant. FedEx delivery driver under arrestWho were present at Athena’s house when she vanished?
Wise County Sheriff Lynn Akin stated to reporters that Tanner Lynn Horner (31), confessed his guilt to kidnapping her and then killing her.
He directed authorities towards her body, which was located six miles from her house.
According to Wise County Jail Records,At 2 a.m., Horner was taken into custody on charges of first degree murder and aggravated child abduction. His bond was set to $1.5 million.
According to reports, Mr. Horner worked as an Uber driver and posted on social media about being musician.
Here’s what we know about this case:
kidnapping
Athena Presley Monroe Strand, a paradise resident, was last seen at her Paradise home at 200 Block County Rd 3573 on Wednesday at approximately 5.40pm.
According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, she was taken from school at 4.30pm.
Athena, reportedly after a fight with her stepmother, left the family home. Her father was on a hunting trip for deer at the time.
After finding the girl missing, her stepmother called 911 at 6.40pm.
“Then, the stepmother went back to prepare supper and returned to fetch Athena. Athena was not in her bedroom,” said Mr. Akin.
Authorities issued an amber alert on Thursday for the Athens Strand
(Texas Department of Safety).
Deputies who responded in kind to the 911 call toured the surrounding area of the woman’s home.
The authorities issued an amber ultimatum to Athena a day later. She was just four feet tall and weighed 65 lbs.
She is described as having blonde hair, blue eyes, and last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt with white flowers in the pockets and brown shoes.
Lynn Akin, Wise County Sheriff said that although it doesn’t necessarily indicate that we expect something wrong, we do understand that there could be a possibility. KPRC2.
According to the family, Athena was afraid in the dark and wouldn’t have been able to walk on her own.
The search for answers is intensifying
Overnight, the Texas Department of Public Safety and local police continued to search for Athena with helicopters equipped with thermal imaging and K-9 units.
The investigation was also joined by US Marshals and the FBI as well as Texas Rangers.
Maitlin Presley Gandhi her mother has appealed to the public via social media.
“Athena did not walk away or disappear on her own. I will not give up or stop until I get back to Athens,” Presley, who lives in Oklahoma, said in a Facebook post Thursday.
Athena Strand stood four feet tall and weighed only 65 lbs at the time of her disappearance.
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“I feel like there is a gap in my heart and half my soul is missing… Please don’t lose sight of my child.
Mrs. Gandhi requested volunteers to join the search. Hundreds showed to comb the rugged terrain surrounding her house.
The Wise County Sheriff’s Office then issued a Facebook plea to volunteers not to visit the family’s home.
Arrest
At a Friday late-night news conference, Mr. Akin announced the detention of a FedEx contract worker.
Investigators determined that Tanner Horner (31 years old) had been dropped off near the family’s home at the time Athena disappeared.
Akin claimed that the driver admitted to taking Athena, and showed them where her body was located in a ditch six-miles from Paradise.
Tanner Horner (31 years old) was arrested on kidnapping charges and first-degree killing charges
(Wise County Jail).
They believed she had died within one hour of her abduction, but they didn’t give any further details about how she was killed.
According to Mr. Akin, the press conference was held according to Fox 4.
“When a child dies, it strikes you in the heart.”
Horner was arrested in Wise County Jail and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. His bail was set to $1.5 million.
The sheriff stated that he did not appear have any connection to the family of the girl, nor do he have any criminal records. The motive for the arrest was not disclosed by the sheriff.
(Texas Ecoserve)
In a statement Fox 4FedEx said: “Words cannot describe our shock and sadness at the reports surrounding this tragic event.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during these difficult times, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities. At this time, any further questions should be directed to law enforcement authorities.”
Initial reports stated that Mr. Horner was originally from Lake Worth. Lake Worth Police Chief he said in a tweetHe lived close to the lake.
The suspect was identified by a Facebook account. It indicated that he was the father and husband of a girl. He was also a singer in a local group.
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