FedEx Delivers a Christmas Nightmare | Athena Strand -Full Story

Hidden True Crime

True Crime, Documentary, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.6 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 7 April 2026

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

*After this recording, and on the morning of the trial, Tanner Horner plead guilty to the murder of Athena Strand. The trial must continue on, despite the plea, so that the jury can decide whether or not Tanner will receive the death penalty. A FedEx delivery. A quiet rural home. And within days, a confession that would devastate an entire community. In this episode of Hidden True Crime, Lauren Matthias breaks down the heartbreaking case of Athena Strand, the 7-year-old who vanished from her family’s property in Paradise, Texas—only for investigators to uncover a chilling truth involving delivery driver Tanner Lynn Horner. From the critical clue left behind—a package of Christmas Barbies—to the disturbing confession, alleged prior behavior, and the legal battle ahead, we walk through every detail leading up to trial. But beyond the timeline, this episode asks the deeper question: how does something so ordinary become the moment everything changes? And what hidden motives lie beneath a crime that feels impossible to comprehend? Sponsor: Mint Mobile- If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at https://mintmobile.com/HIDDEN About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	A FedEx driver shows up to a quiet home in Paradise, Texas, drops off a package,
0:08.0	and within days he's confessing to the murder of a seven-year-old girl.
0:14.0	This is the story of Athena Strand and how something as ordinary as a delivery became the break in a case drawing national attention.
0:24.9	It seems that these days most children prefer playing on their tablets, iPads or video game consoles,
0:31.0	rather than running around outside with France.
0:33.5	And when they do choose to venture outside, our own yards typically feel like the safest place
0:38.8	and a place that we would encourage our children to be off of their screens and enjoying fresh air.
0:44.6	However, cases like Summer Wells serve as a stark reminder that children can disappear without a trace,
0:49.5	even in rural areas that appear more private and secure.
0:53.1	Similarly, in November of 2022, seven-year-old
0:56.3	Athena Strand disappeared from her home, located on just over six acres of land in Paradise, Texas.
1:04.2	Investigators soon uncovered that someone had actually entered Athena's family property.
1:08.7	Someone, the small, tight-knit community should have been able to
1:12.2	trust. And in this episode, we're covering everything you need to know as the trial seeking justice
1:18.5	for Athena begins this month. Athena Presley-Monroe Strand was born on May 23, 2015 to her parents,
1:26.9	Jacob Strand and Maitland Gandy.
1:30.0	Growing up in Comanche, Oklahoma, Athena was known for her infectious personality.
1:35.9	According to her mother, Athena never met a stranger and loved horseback riding, playing
1:40.4	with makeup and paddle jumping.
1:42.0	Even though her parents, Jacob, and Maitland, had been together since 2012.
1:46.7	They separated in 2017 with Maitland staying in Oklahoma and Jacob moving to Texas.
1:52.9	Athena primarily lived with her mother, but would spend time with Jacob as well and was
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