Tanner Horner Pleads Guilty in Athena Strand Murder, Awaits Sentencing
Tanner Horner pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. The admission abruptly ended a capital murder trial in Tarrant County.
The plea moves the case to sentencing. Jurors will now determine whether Horner faces the death penalty.
Allegations and timeline
Authorities say the incident began on Nov. 30, 2022, in Wise County. Horner was working as a FedEx delivery driver that day.
Investigators allege Horner delivered a package that contained a Christmas gift. He then struck the child while backing out of a driveway.
Prosecutors say Horner told investigators the girl did not appear badly hurt. They allege he panicked, placed her in his van and strangled her for fear she would tell her father.
Horner was tracked through digital evidence the same day. Two days later, on Dec. 2, 2022, Athena Strand’s body was found about nine miles southeast of Boyd.
Charges and court developments
Horner was indicted on Feb. 16, 2023. The charges included aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under 10 years old.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton had said he planned to seek the death penalty. Horner initially pleaded not guilty in 2023.
With the recent guilty plea, Tanner Horner now awaits sentencing. The jurors will decide whether to impose capital punishment.
Reporting by Filmogaz.com.
