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During the sentencing trial of FedEx driver Tanner Horner, jurors were moved to tears as they listened to the haunting audio of Athena Strand’s tragic final moments.
Prior to the jury being presented with the graphic footage, Judge George Gallagher issued a caution to those present in the courtroom, suggesting that they might prefer to leave. This prompted the parents of the 7-year-old victim to exit the room.
“If you feel unable to witness or hear this,” Gallagher advised, according to NBC DFW, “now is your chance to step out.”
Athena Strand’s Final Moments Inside FedEx Truck Captured in Audio Footage
As part of the trial, jurors were shown video footage from inside Horner’s delivery truck. Horner, who has confessed to the murder of Athena, had stopped at her residence in Wise County on November 30, 2022, at approximately 5:30 p.m. to deliver a package. Shortly thereafter, Athena appeared in the video following closely behind him before he placed her into the back of the truck.
“What are you doing?” Athena inquired, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Are you a kidnapper?”
The confused child then asked, “Where are we going?” to which Horner replied, “It doesn’t matter.”
Then, Horner covered the camera inside the truck, but jurors were still able to hear the audio captured that day. After asking Athena about her teacher, the outlet reported, Horner was heard telling her, “you’re really pretty.”
After stopping the truck, Horner told the girl they were “going to hang out for a minute,” before he instructed her to remove her shirt. Athena was heard crying and saying she wants to go home and wants her mom.
The audio then picked up sounds of crying, screaming and banging. At one point, per The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Horner began driving the truck again. As “Jingle Bell Rock” played on the radio, Athena was heard screaming and Horner threatened to hurt her more if she didn’t shut up.
Athena suffered blunt force injuries and was strangled to death before her naked body was thrown into Trinity River, the outlet reported.
Tanner Horner Returned to Area The Next Day As Search is Launched
The next day, as searchers were scouring the area looking for any sign of the 7-year-old, Horner was captured driving along a country road, once again making deliveries, according to CBS News.
His frustration appeared to grow after he was slowed down by a vehicle blocking the road and he muttered, “I can’t get through, there’s people in the way.”
After shouting at some people to move the vehicle, a woman approached the delivery truck and told him that “there’s been a kidnapping,” according to the audio footage played in court.
“It’s all blocked off,” she said, per CBS News. “So you’ll have to just pull up and ask them if they’ll let you through, but a 7-year-old was taken,” prompting Horner to reply, “Are you serious?”
Jurors also heard from Athena’s father, Jacob Strand, about the toll her death had on the family. He testified that in the aftermath of her death, he stopped eating and began drinking heavily, leading his marriage to fall apart.
“It made me feel horrible,” he said, according to NBC DFW. “You know, like, I should have done something or been there. I wasn’t there to protect them like I should be, like a father’s role.”
According to Jacob, Athena’s sister also struggled to adjust to life, even with the help of a therapist. She now has nightmares about “everything that she’s having to hear about,” he said, “and what happened to her sister.”
After presenting the evidence, prosecutors rested their case April 16.
Horner’s defense attorneys are expected to present their case next week.
Although Horner has already pleaded guilty to capital murder, jurors will be tasked with determining whether he should receive the death penalty or life in prison.