A FedEx driver who murdered a seven-year-old girl was heard singing 'Jingle Bell Rock' as the child screamed in pain, a court has heard. Tanner Horner, 34, admitted capital murder and aggravated kidnapping hours before his trial was due to start.
Horner snatched Athena Strand from her home in Paradise, Texas, in November 2022 while delivering a package of Barbie toys her parents had bought for Christmas. Dashcam footage from inside his van captured the moment he abducted and killed the child.
The recording shows Horner arriving at the girl’s home, dropping off packages, then picking her up and putting her inside the van. Athena is heard asking, 'Are you a kidnapper?' The camera was later covered, but audio continued. About 30 minutes in, the song 'Jingle Bell Rock' played on the radio, and Horner began to sing along.
Athena screamed in pain, and Horner threatened her, saying, 'Shut up. If you don't shut up, I will hurt you worse.' The audio captured the girl choking and banging inside the truck. Before the killing, Horner told her, 'You're really pretty. You know that?' He also asked her to remove her shirt, but she refused and asked for her mother.
Athena’s heartbroken parents left the courtroom before the video was played. Horner initially claimed he accidentally hit the girl with his van, then panicked and strangled her. The court will now decide whether he faces the death penalty or life in prison.
