FedEx Driver Who Killed Athena Strand Claims He Panicked After Backing Into 7-Year-Old

Tanner Horner is the 31-year-old man who is accused of kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. Athena's body was found only 10 miles from her home.

Horner was delivering a Christmas package to the home of Athena's father and stepmother when he says he backed into the little girl. Horner has admitted that Athena was still alive when he injured her and put her in the back of his van.

Horner is accused of killing Athena on November 30, 2022. He told investigators that she was speaking and identified herself following her injury. He also stated that he chose to kill her because he was worried about what she would tell her dad.

Horner reportedly tried to break Athena's neck and then opted to strangle her. Her body was found on December 2, 2022, in a river. Horner is reportedly the person who told investigators where her body was.

Athena reportedly got into a fight with her stepmother before deciding to go outside.

Athena's mother, Maitland Gandy, has spoken about the loss of her daughter.

Gandy explained, "I was robbed of watching [Athena] grow up by a man that everyone was supposed to be able to trust to do just one simple task: deliver a Christmas present and leave."

Gandy added, "I was supposed to bring her back home to [my house in] Oklahoma after Christmas break. Instead … she will come home in an urn."

Gandy's lawyer also addressed the tragedy.

Benson Varghese explained, "Our ultimate goal is to ensure no other parent or grandparent feels the loss Maitland is going through right now. We are leaving no stone unturned in looking at all the decisions that happened before this tragedy occurred."