He told police he killed Athena in the truck because he was afraid she would tell her parents he accidentally hit her with the vehicle
A 31-year-old delivery driver in Texas is accused of strangling a 7-year-old girl, Athena Strand, and dumping her body in a nearby river.
Horner told police he killed Athena in the truck because he was afraid she would tell her parents that he accidentally hit her with the vehicle.
He had left a package at the crime scene – which turned out to be the girl’s Christmas present. He told officers he “panicked” and threw her into the back of the truck.
Although he said Athena was not seriously injured, Horner tried to break her neck before deciding to strangle her with his bare hands, the warrant states.
He dumped her body in the Trinity River, about 10 miles from her home.
The driver is also accused of sexually assaulting children.
The three molestation charges are unrelated to Athena’s gruesome murder, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said.
Tanner Horner is already being held in the Wise County Jail on charges of kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Athena.
The sexual assault charges were filed in Tarrant County, about 35 miles from where Horner abducted Athena from her home in Paradise.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
