Athena Strand autopsy report revealed the brutal truth behind her murder which shocked the entire community.
The report disclosed that the seven-year-old was kidnapped and s*xually abused before being murdered. Athena was abducted two days before her lifeless body was discovered on December 2, 2022.
The perpetrator responsible for her death has been charged with capital murder and is currently in custody at Wise County Jail.
The news of Athena’s disappearance and death captured the attention of people worldwide, who sent their condolences and prayers to her family.
Cause of death
After a two-day kidnapping, Strand tragically passed away.
The suspect responsible for her death, Tanner Lynn Horner, is currently incarcerated and facing charges.
In addition, the Fort Worth Police Department has discovered that Horner allegedly s*xually assaulted three other children under the age of 17, apart from Strand. Moreover, it has come to light that Horner assaulted other children in 2013.
Although Horner initially claimed that Strand was accidentally hit by his van and that he strangled her out of fear that she would tell someone, investigations have revealed that she was assaulted before being hit by the car.
After discovering his identity as Strand’s killer, Horner has been widely condemned as an “absolute monster.”
Athena’s mother, Marilyn, had pleaded with the public to help find her daughter through social media.
Thanks to the public’s help, the suspect, reportedly driving for Athena’s father’s contracted delivery company, was located and arrested.
Maitlyn expressed gratitude towards those who helped find the suspect and shared her grief for her daughter’s untimely death.
Who killed Athena?
Tanner Lynn Horner, a 31-year-old driver for “Big Topspin,” a company contracted by FedEx, is facing severe charges of capital murder and kidnapping in relation to the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
According to court documents, Horner delivered a package to Athena’s dad’s house, where she was staying, in Wise County on November 30.
Later, a video obtained from a search warrant of Big Topspin showed Athena getting into a FedEx van with Horner behind the wheel.
During an interview, Horner confessed to hitting Athena with his van, panicking, and bringing her into his vehicle.
He attempted to break her neck but ended up strangling her with his bare hands. Shockingly, Athena was still talking to him before he killed her.
The incident has left Athena’s mother, Marilyn Gandy, devastated, as she had planned to bring Athena back home to Oklahoma after Christmas break.
Horner is being held on a $1.5 million bond, and the Wise County Sheriff’s department plans to request the District Attorney to seek the death penalty.
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