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The heartbroken grandfather of murdered seven-year-old Athena Strand said he forgives the “psychopathic” FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and murdering her — but also wishes he had “5 minutes alone in a cell” with the suspect. Mark Strand broke his silence with a heartbreaking Facebook post Sunday after his granddaughter’s body was discovered about six miles from her home in Paradise, Texas. Athena went missing from her home on Wednesday and an Amber Alert was issued the next day. Her body was discovered on Friday. Police said Tanner Lynn Horner, a 31-year-old FedEx truck driver, confessed to grabbing the little girl before killing her within an hour of her abduction. He faces charges of murder and aggravated kidnapping. No motive has been released and Horner is not believed to have anything to do with the little girl. After his arrest, the aspiring musician’s chilling song lyrics surfaced: “Sometimes I hear her cry. Silence is the dirtiest trick in life. If I’m so empty then why do I feel alive.”
Basic points
Grandpa says he “forgives” the killer Body of 7-year-old missing from Texas found FedEx truck driver Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested Mother says her ‘princess’ was caught by a ‘cruel monster’ Athena Strand went missing on Wednesday
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Shocking song lyrics written by FedEx driver accused of murdering Athena Strand
Chilling song lyrics written by the FedEx driver and aspiring musician accused of murdering seven-year-old Athena Strand have emerged, including the foreboding line “sometimes I hear her cry”. Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is accused of abducting little Athena from her home in Paradise, Texas, before killing her and dumping her body in a ditch about six miles away. Police said he confessed to the heinous crime and is being held on charges of murder and kidnapping. Following his arrest, the aspiring musician’s dark song lyrics and disturbing social media posts surfaced. In an Instagram post from December 2014, she wrote: “Sometimes I hear her cry. Silence is the dirtiest trick in life. If I’m so empty then why do I feel alive.” The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story: Rachel Sharp5 December 2022 14:30 1670249510
The suspect bragged about a dagger in a social media post
After his arrest, Tanner Lynn Horner’s social media posts came to light. In one post, seen by The Independent, the suspect brags about a dagger he says he received as a gift. “The dagger was given to me by my older brother YEARS ago!” she captioned a picture of the golden blade in December 2014. That same month, he posted a photo of himself in bed with a caption that included a racial slur. “I lay in bed thinking I’m saying I’m not shit! Haters gonna hats ^-^,” he wrote. Tanner Lynn Horner bragged about getting this dagger in an online post (Instagram) Rachel Sharp5 December 2022 14:11 1670247900
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Tuesday
First Baptist Church Cottondale has arranged a Candlelight Memorial Service to allow the community to come together to celebrate the life of Athena Strand. It will take place on Tuesday, December 6 at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cottondale in Paradise, Texas, on the front lawn. A lighted angel will be set up for those who want to bring flowers, a Facebook page says. Rachel Sharp5 December 2022 13:45 1670246100
Everything we know about the FedEx driver accused of killing Athena Strand
A FedEx contract driver has reportedly confessed to kidnapping and killing missing 7-year-old Athena Strand, authorities in Texas said. Here’s everything we know so far about Tanner Lynn Horner. Oliver O’Connell5 December 2022 13:15 1670244161
Athena Strand’s grandfather says he forgives ‘psychedelic’ FedEx driver
The heartbroken grandfather of murdered seven-year-old Athena Strand said he forgives the “psychopathic” FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and murdering her — but also wishes he had “5 minutes alone in a cell” with the suspect. Mark Strand broke his silence with a heartbreaking Facebook post Sunday after his granddaughter’s body was discovered about six miles from her home in Paradise, Texas, and 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested on charges of murder and kidnapping. In the chilling social media post, Strand spoke of his turmoil as he said he wants Horner to “burn in hell for all eternity” but his faith drives him to want to forgive. “This flesh, this man that I am, is angry and I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the soul that took our Athena from us, but there is a small gentle voice in the back of my head that tells me that I must forgive him,” he wrote. The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story: Rachel Sharp5 December 2022 12:42 1670242500
Texas school districts to wear pink for Athena
Oliver O’Connell5 December 2022 12:15 1670238900
Mother says her ‘princess’ was taken by ‘brutal monster’
The devastated mother of the Texas schoolgirl, Athena Strand, described the suspect who allegedly confessed to her murder as a “sick, cruel monster” in a heartbreaking Facebook post. Oliver O’Connell5 December 2022 11:15 1670231700
The suspect was taken into custody on Friday
The Wise County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a FedEx driver was taken into custody. The driver, identified by police as 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner, is being held in the Wise County Jail on charges of murder and kidnapping. Oliver O’Connell5 December 2022 09:15 1670224500
The devastated community mourns the loss
Cottondale’s First Baptist Church was the site of a gathering of volunteers and Athena’s family while searches for her continued this week. On Tuesday, a vigil will be held at the Holy Church. Pastor Charles Pugh spoke to CBS News. “Your heart goes out to the parents. It’s so coincidental that it seems like it happened that way,” he said. When news broke that Athena was found dead, Pugh was with her parents. “He’s a little numb I think,” Pugh said of her dad’s reaction. “Disappointed, but he was in good spirits.” At the news conference Friday night, Sheriff Lane Akin was visibly emotional. “It hurts our hearts to know this child passed away,” he said, “this community does not like to lose our children and we can see that because of all the people who have come out and helped us through this whole ordeal.” Oliver O’Connell5 December 2022 07:15 1670217300
Devastating news was announced on Friday night
After two days of searching, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin broke the devastating news that Athena’s body had been found at a press conference Friday afternoon. Oliver O’Connell5 December 2022 05:15
