A former FedEx driver accused of murdering a seven-year-old child was sentenced to death on Tuesday, 4 May. The verdict came after the accused,Tanner Horner, pleaded guilty to killing Athena Strand in November 2022 last month.
At the time, Horner reportedly delivered Strand's Barbie Christmas present to her home in Paradise in Wise County. At some point, Athena's stepmother, Ashley Strand, noticed the child was missing and immediately reported it to authorities. Her naked body was found two days later, according to officials in a report byNBC News.
Horner was the last person who saw Athena alive. He was arrested after the discovery of Athena's body and allegedly claimed that he had accidentally hit the seven-year-old with his delivery vehicle.
The 34-year-old claimed he panicked and then placed Strand at the back of the van before breaking her neck, according to an arrest warrant obtained by theAssociated Press.
However, his claims were rebuffed. Wise County District Attorney James Stainton told the court that Horner was lying and that Athena was unhurt when he abducted her,Sky Newsreported. Aphoto of a girl from a video inside the delivery vanwas shown to the jury to back up that claim.
Stainton added that Horner had told Athena not to scream if she didn't want to get hurt. The child tried to fight off the 34-year-old and his DNA was discovered under the fingernails of Athena.
'If you don't shut up, I will hurt you worse,' Horner could be heard telling Strand in arecording from inside the van.
Athena died of blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation.
Little is known about Horner and the 34-year-old had no criminal history.
However, Dr Eileen Ryan, a professor of psychiatry and behavioural health at Ohio State University, did an evaluation on Tanner and found that the 34-year-old was suffering from Asperger's disorder, autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, perOxygen.com.
Source: International Business Times UK
