A chilling image shown in court has revealed the final moments of seven-year-old Athena Strand before she was killed, offering jurors a disturbing look into the case.
The black-and-white photo, taken from a camera inside a delivery van, shows Athena alive behind the driver’s seat. In the image, she is staring straight ahead as the man, a FedEx driver accused of abducting her, drives. Prosecutors say the photo directly contradicts the suspect’s earlier claims about what happened.
Tanner Horner, 34, pleaded guilty on April 7th to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping, just as his trial was set to begin. Jurors were shown the image as part of the opening phase of the case, before being tasked with determining his sentence, which could result in life in prison. According to prosecutors, the photo was captured on November 30, 2022, the same day Athena disappeared from her father’s home in Texas.
Athena Strand
Authorities say Horner had been dropping off a package before kidnapping the child. An arrest warrant states that Horner admitted to grabbing her and putting her in his van, claiming he panicked after accidentally backing into her outside the home. Prosecutors, however, argue that Athena was not seriously injured and that what happened next was a deliberate decision.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton told jurors: “She was very much alive and uninjured when he put her in the truck,
“The first thing he said to her was, ‘Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you.’ That’s the first thing out of his mouth. He made good on it,” according to VT.
The court also heard that Horner was seen calmly driving, and even whistling, in the footage, while Athena appeared visibly distressed, something prosecutors say undermines his version of a chaotic encounter.
Tanner Horner pleaded guilty
Judge George Gallagher instructed the jury: “Now your sole duty will be to listen to all of the evidence that is going to be presented to you because you will be using that evidence to determine the proper punishment to be assessed,” according to VT.
Prosecutors are expected to present audio recorded inside the van, which they say captured the moment Athena was killed. The camera was allegedly covered during the attack.
Stainton warned jurors about what they would hear, stating: “She fought with the strength of 100 men,” before adding: “You’re going to hear what a 250-pound man can do to a 67-pound child.”
He continued: “You can’t unhear” the audio, calling it evidence of “the level of cold-heartedness that you’re going to see.”
According to police, Horner later admitted he had attempted to break Athena’s neck before ultimately strangling her inside the truck. He then disposed of her body in the Trinity River, about 10 miles from her father’s home. Investigators were able to track him down after confirming he had delivered a set of “You Can Be Anything” Barbie dolls, intended as a Christmas gift, to the home shortly before Athena disappeared. Horner led authorities to her body just two days after she was reported missing.
