DEATH PENALTY: Tot Athena Strand, 7, Found Dead, KIDNAPPED by FedEx Driver.
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
4.2 • 8.1K Ratings
🗓️ 25 February 2023
⏱️ 44 minutes
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Summary
Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty in the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand. The 7-year-old was taken from her family home by a FedEx delivery driver and was dead within an hour of her abduction. Authorities say a contract FedEx driver who was delivering a package to Strand’s home kidnapped the girl.
Investigators say Strand got off a bus around 4:15 p.m. and was missing from the residence at some point before 5:15 p.m. after an argument with her stepmother. An hour-long search ensued, but when Strand could not be found, 911 was called.
Dozens of law enforcement and hundreds of volunteers joined the search effort. Police received a tip about the FedEx Driver Tanner Horner. When approached by police, Horner confessed. Police have not said whether Strand was sexually assaulted.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
- Wendy Patrick - California prosecutor; Author of “Red Flags” and NEW “Why Bad Looks Good: Biblical Wisdom to Make Smart Choices in Life, Love, and Friendship;" 'Today with Dr. Wendy' on KCBQ in San Diego; Twitter: @WendyPatrickPHD
- Scott A. Johnson - Forensic Psychologist (Minnesota), 32 years specializing in addressing sexual predators; Author: "When “I Love You” Turns Violent" and "Physical Abusers & Sexual Offenders"
- Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) & Lecturer: University of Texas and Texas A&M; Affiliated Faculty: University of Texas Medical Branch
- Robert Crispin - Private Investigator, Former Federal Task Force Officer for United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division; Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator, “Crispin Special Investigations;" Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations, Inc.
- Alexis Terezchuck - Crimeonline.com investigative reporter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | 5. Crime Stories with Nancy Grace |
| 0:07.0 | 7. A Thena Strand was looking forward to a birthday party and birthday presents. |
| 0:19.0 | But it didn't turn out the way her family planned. |
| 0:23.0 | A FedEx driver, 31-year-old Tanner Horner, now formally indicted for kidnapping seven-year-old Athena while delivering a birthday present to the home. |
| 0:41.0 | He is now also charged with capital murder and is facing the death penalty. |
| 0:50.0 | I'm Nancy Grace. This is Crime Stories. Thank you for being with us here at Fox Nation and Series XM 111. |
| 0:58.0 | A Texas FedEx driver, now charged in the kidnapping and strangling death of a beautiful seven-year-old little girl. |
| 1:07.0 | He allegedly kidnapped from her Dallas home. He has been formally indicted with a murder. |
| 1:14.0 | In Texas, that means the state can't announce the death penalty will be sought. |
| 1:20.0 | Now, he has his own story, which I'm sure is a big lie. |
| 1:25.0 | Once you hear it, I think you'll agree with me. |
| 1:28.0 | Tanner Horner, 31-year-old, tells investigators he accidentally hit a Thena Strand with his truck that he panicked, grabbed her, and put her in his FedEx car. |
| 1:42.0 | Fearing what would happen if he told her mom and dad, he strangled her in the truck and dumped her body seven miles from home off the country road. |
| 1:53.0 | She was found December 2. |
| 1:57.0 | Now, at that time, she was at the home of her dad and stepmom. |
| 2:01.0 | And I believe the stepmom fully was convinced she was just outdoors playing. |
| 2:07.0 | Little did she know the FedEx delivery guy had abducted beautiful little Athena. |
| 2:17.0 | And in another headline, Athena Strand's father is now suing FedEx and the delivery driver. |
| 2:25.0 | He says strangled his daughter dead, claiming the company was negligent in employing him and failing to supervise him. |
| 2:35.0 | Jacob Strand, a Thena's dad, seeking over a million dollars in damages from FedEx. |
| 2:40.0 | He also names Horner and the contractor that hired him in his new lawsuit. |
| 2:47.0 | Now, Athena Strand's biomom has also lost a private investigation into the circumstances surrounding Horner, Tanner Horner, the FedEx drivers, hiring. |
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