Surveillance Video Captures Tanner Horner Passing Athena Strand Search Post-Murder
Newly shown footage in the Tanner Horner case includes images from inside his delivery truck. The video was recorded the afternoon after the child disappeared.
Truck surveillance video
The footage comes from surveillance cameras mounted in Horner’s FedEx contractor truck. It was recorded the afternoon of Dec. 1, 2022.
Video shows Horner driving along a residential country road. Vehicles lined both sides of the street as a large search was underway for Athena Strand.
Surveillance video captures Tanner Horner passing near Athena Strand’s home during the search post-murder. The girl had been missing for less than 24 hours.
The recording shows Horner stop behind a vehicle blocking the road. He honked, inched forward and complained about the obstruction.
He lowered his window and spoke with people on the roadside. One woman warned him a child had been taken. Horner reacted with disbelief.
After the blocking vehicle moved, law enforcement allowed Horner to continue his route. He told a passerby he had packages to deliver.
Incident and charges
On Nov. 30, 2022, Horner was working for a FedEx contractor. He went to the Wise County home to deliver a package described as a Christmas gift.
Horner has said he accidentally struck 7-year-old Athena Strand while backing his truck from the driveway. He told investigators the girl was not seriously hurt.
According to his statement, he panicked, put the child into his van and strangled her. He said fear that she would tell her father motivated his actions.
Authorities located Strand’s body two days later. The remains were found about nine miles southeast of Boyd.
Last week, just before trial, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Courtroom evidence and testimony
The prosecution showed jurors the delivery-truck video shortly after testimony from Athena’s father, Jacob Strand. The courtroom later viewed another recording.
A separate in-truck video purporting to show the killing was shown only inside the courtroom. The judge blocked its release outside that setting.
After presenting those materials, prosecutors rested their case.
Next steps
The case will proceed toward sentencing and further legal proceedings. Filmogaz.com will continue to monitor developments and provide updates.
