AMBER Alert issued for 7-year-old Wise County girl
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The body of Athena Strand, the seven-year-old girl from Texas who went missing on Wednesday has been found 6 miles away from her home, authorities said on Friday.
Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said that a FedEx truck driver abducted Athena and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession, CBS News reported.
The driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.
An Amber Alert was issued on Thursday for the child, who vanished the night before in Paradise.
According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the child was dropped off from school at her home in Paradise at 4.30pm on Wednesday.
Her stepmother reportedly called police to report her missing around 6.40pm that day when she didn’t find Athena in her room after an argument.
After confirmation of her death, Athena’s mother posted a heartbreaking statement on Facebook calling her a “princess” and calling her murdered a “cruel, sick monster”.
What we know about Tanner Horner
Tanner Horner, a FedEx contract driver, has allegedly confessed to the abduction and murder of missing 7-year-old Athena Strand, authorities in Texas say.
Here’s everything we know so far.
Authorities in Wise County, Texas, announced a FedEx contract driver had allegedly confessed to the abduction and murder of the missing 7-year-old
Mother of Athena Strand says her ‘princess’ was taken by a ‘cruel monster’
The heartbroken mother of Texas schoolgirl Athena Strand has described the suspect who allegedly confessed to her murder as a “sick, cruel monster”.
Athena, 7, disappeared from her home in Paradise, Texas, on Wednesday after having a disagreement with her stepmother.
Maitlyn Gandy asked that the public raise up Athena’s story. ‘I don’t want her to be the girl known as the one murdered and discarded by a monster’
Candlelight vigil scheduled for Tuesday
The local First Baptist Church Cottondale has arranged a Candlelight Memorial Service to allow the community to come together to celebrate the life of Athena Strand. It will be held on Tuesday 6 December at 6pm.
Everything we know about FedEx driver accused of murdering Athena Strand
A FedEx contract driver has allegedly confessed to the abduction and murder of missing 7-year-old Athena Strand, authorities in Texas say.
Here’s what we know so far.
Authorities in Wise County, Texas, announced a FedEx contract driver had allegedly confessed to the abduction and murder of the missing 7-year-old
Watch in full: Wise County Sheriff’s Department gives press conference
Athena Strand found dead after being kidnapped by FexEX driver: Wise County sheriff
Who is Tanner Horner?
WFAA reports that Tanner Horner was working as a contract FedEx truck driver, and was delivering a package to Athena Strand’s family home when she was allegedly abducted.
He is from Lake Worth, approximately 30 miles south of where Athena’s body was found.
FBI Acting Agent in Charge Jim Dwyer said authorities believe the seven-year-old died only about an hour after being abducted based on digital evidence and statements gathered while interviewing Horner.
Authorities had known that a FedEx driver visited the house the day Athena went missing. The investigation pointed to Horner after a tip and good police work.
Horner is the lone suspect authorities believe responsible in the case, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said.
He is not a relation and has no connection to the Strand family.
Horner is charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. He is booked into the Wise County Jail and his bond at this time is $1.5m.
Who is Athena Strand?
Seven-year-old Athena Strand went missing since around 6pm on Wednesday evening.
She was last seen at her father’s home on County Road 3573 in Paradise, Texas, dressed in a grey long-sleeve shirt with white flowers, blue jeans with white flowers on the pockets and brown boots
Athena reportedly left the home after an argument with her stepmother.
Police said the woman spent “about an hour” searching for the youngster before calling the sheriff’s office.
The child’s father was reportedly on a deer hunting trip in south Texas at the time of the disappearance.
On Friday evening, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin announced that a FedEx truck driver identified as Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of the missing child.
Mr Horner has been held in jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.
Mr Akin said that at about the time that the child went missing on Wednesday, the suspect dropped off a package at the home.
She was likely abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house.
She likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession.
Recap: Body of missing 7-year-old girl found in Wise County, Texas
The body of missing seven-year-old Athena Strand has been found in Wise county, Texas sheriff Lane Akin said at a press conference on Friday evening.
Read the full story here:
Seven-year-old’s family ‘devastated’ and ‘angry because of what happened’
Family ‘devastated’ after missing child’s body is found
Authorities said that seven-year-old Athena Strand’s family is “devastated” after her body was found on Friday.
Wise County sheriff Lane Akin said: “They’re angry because of what happened-a precious child taken from their lives.”
Authorities believe that the child was abducted from her driveway by and died within an hour based on digital evidence and statements gathered while interviewing Tanner Lynn Horner.
Horner, a FedEx truck driver is being held in Wise County jail.
FedEx driver who abducted Athena did not know her family
Authorities have said that the 31-year-old FedEx truck driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, who was held for abducting and murdering Athena Strand did not know the missing seven-year-old or her family.
Sheriff Lane Akin said at a press conference on Friday: “He was not related and did not know the family.”
The seven-year-old had gone missing from her home on Wednesday.