Texas Man Pleads Guilty to 7-Year-Old’s Murder, Faces Execution

TANNER LYNN HORNER, 35, appeared in a Fort Worth court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to the aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl who vanished from her home in November 2022. The plea came just as his trial was set to begin, meaning a jury will now decide whether Horner will face the death penalty.

Athena disappeared while sorting laundry in a converted storage shed that served as her bedroom. Her stepmother, Elizabeth Strand, reported her missing after failing to locate the child at 6:41 pm. Detectives later discovered that FedEx had delivered a package to the Strand home around the time of Athena’s disappearance. Video footage from the delivery van showed Horner interacting with the young girl before her death.

Horner confessed to police, stating he accidentally hit Athena with the van and feared she would reveal his identity. Panicked, he allegedly strangled her in the van’s back. Authorities found her body submerged in water 15 miles away from the scene following Horner’s directions.

During trial proceedings, expert witnesses testified about Horner’s troubled background, including significant lead exposure and developmental issues. His family members described a history of criminal behavior and abuse within his family, offering insights into his upbringing. These details aim to provide context for the jury as they consider the fate of Tanner Lynn Horner, whose actions have left a community in mourning and the legal system grappling with severe consequences.