Chilling Footage Shows FedEx Driver's Meticulous Cleanup After Child Murder
In a Fort Worth courtroom on Thursday, jurors were shown deeply disturbing footage of Tanner Horner, 34, meticulously cleaning the van he used to abduct and murder seven-year-old Athena Strand. The video captured Horner using a large paper roll and spray substance to wipe down the vehicle's interior for several minutes after committing the heinous crime in November 2022.
The Abduction and Cover-Up
Horner, working as an independent contractor for FedEx, had arrived at Athena's Paradise, Texas home to deliver a parcel of Barbies her father and stepmother had purchased as a Christmas present. Prosecutors revealed that Horner abducted the little girl from her home, contradicting his initial claim that he accidentally hit her with his van before strangling her in a panic.
"That was an absolute lie," prosecutors stated, emphasizing that Athena showed no injuries prior to her abduction. The footage showed Horner completing his deep cleanse before returning to the driver's seat, lighting what appeared to be a cigarette, and calmly smoking out the window.
Courtroom Revelations and Medical Evidence
Additional evidence presented included a photo showing Athena kneeling near Horner in the van before her death. Medical examiner Dr. Jessica Dwyer testified that Athena died from blunt force injuries consistent with smothering and strangulation, noting distinctive zigzag patterns on the child's face and chest that matched the van's floor.
While Dwyer acknowledged Athena likely suffered before dying and didn't rule out possible sexual abuse, her report confirmed the body showed no signs of sexual trauma. Prosecutors had previously referred to the vehicle as the "abduction van," noting bungee cords and bands were found inside following the crime.
The Disturbing Interaction Before Murder
Jurors heard audio from the van where Athena repeatedly asked Horner, "Are you a kidnapper?" before he threatened to hurt her if she screamed. The full footage revealed Horner asking personal questions about her age, school, and family before telling the child, "You're really pretty. You know that?"
As the van stopped, Athena asked if they were going to his house, to which Horner responded he lived "far away." After another pause, he asked her to remove her shirt, which she refused while asking for her mother. The recording then captured crying, screaming, and loud banging noises.
Guilty Plea and Alternate Persona Defense
Horner pleaded guilty to murder on April 7, just hours before his trial was scheduled to begin. Prosecutors described his statements as "lie upon lie upon lie" and noted he had only been truthful when admitting to killing the child.
In earlier statements to investigators, Horner claimed an alter ego named "Zero" had "kind of taken over" after he failed to calm Athena down. He told police, "I'm wondering who the hell's been in my head this whole time," and suggested Zero had committed the murder while he was "in denial."
Ongoing Trial and Sentencing
The jury must now decide whether Horner should receive the death penalty for his crimes. Athena's parents, Jacob Strand and Maitlyn Gandy, have both testified but were not present during the video playback. District Attorney James Stainton emphasized in his opening statement that Horner's first words to Athena after picking her up were, "Don't scream or I'll hurt you."
The case continues to unfold with emotional testimony and forensic evidence painting a chilling picture of the calculated crime and its aftermath.
