In a courtroom today, the uncle of a young girl who tragically lost her life at the hands of a FedEx driver directly addressed the perpetrator. Elijah Strand confronted Tanner Horner, the individual responsible for the death of his seven-year-old niece, delivering a powerful message: “Everyone will forget you.” Horner, aged 34, received a death sentence for the murder following a swift deliberation by the jury.
Expressing his disdain towards Horner, Mr. Strand emphasized the insignificance of the killer by stating, “I want you to know that you are nothing.” He reassured that the memory of his niece, Athena, will endure forever, overshadowing any remembrance of Horner.
Earlier in the proceedings, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping on the day his trial was scheduled to commence. Disturbing images were presented in court showing Athena inside Horner’s FedEx vehicle, where she was taken after he made a delivery to her family home in Paradise, Texas.
A photograph captured Athena seated in the van while Horner focused on driving near Fort Worth, Texas. Tragically, she was later strangled, and her lifeless body was discovered two days later, approximately seven miles away from her residence, by a country road.
As the court in Dallas, Texas, declared the sentence, Horner remained emotionless. Mr. Strand seized the opportunity to address the killer, highlighting the immense devastation caused to Athena’s loved ones and the lasting impact on their lives.
Describing Athena beyond a mere headline, Mr. Strand painted a vivid picture of her personality, dreams, and the void left by her absence. He expressed the enduring grief, unanswered questions, and the ongoing effort to honor Athena’s memory despite the senseless tragedy.
During the closing arguments, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton commended Athena’s resilience, referring to her as a “warrior” for enduring the harrowing ordeal before her untimely demise in November 2022.
Horner initially denied involvement in Athena’s death but later confessed to accidentally hitting her with his van and subsequently strangling her in a panicked state.