FedEx Driver Arrested After Kidnapping & Murdering 7-Yr-Previous Woman Whereas Delivering Package deal To Her Residence

A FedEx driver has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and murdering a 7-year-old lady who went lacking earlier this week.

Based on KDFW, Athena Strand obtained off of her faculty on Wednesday at round 4:15 p.m. to go to her residence in Paradise, Texas. The younger lady’s stepmother quickly known as 911 at 6:40 p.m. to report her lacking when she observed that she wasn’t in her room on the time and looked for her for about an hour. CBS Information reported that she informed investigators that the 2 argued whereas Athena’s father was not residence, an initially, investigators believed that Athena simply ran away. Nevertheless, that turned out to not be the case.

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An enormous search was launched throughout Sensible County, and the Texas Division of Public Security then issued an AMBER Alert on Thursday. However on Friday, Sensible County Sheriff Lane Akin informed reporters that Athena was discovered useless almost 200 yards away from her home. He stated:

“It hurts our hearts to know that that youngster died. A lot in order that she is on her method now to the health worker’s workplace and there’s a Texas ranger in entrance of her, and there’s a Texas ranger behind her. This group doesn’t like shedding our youngsters. And we are able to see it due to all of the individuals who got here out and helped us all through this ordeal.”

CNN reported that authorities acquired a tip that led them to find out {that a} contract driver for FedEx named Tanner Lynn Horner had taken the child from her driveway. Akin stated the 31-year-old delivered a package deal to the Strand household’s residence proper across the time that Athena disappeared, and authorities imagine she was killed inside an hour after her abduction. KDFW famous that police stated Tanner confessed to the homicide and has since been charged with capital homicide and aggravated kidnapping.

Following the information of Athena’s loss of life, FedEx launched an announcement on Twitter providing its condolences to the household:

“Our ideas are with the household of Athena Strand throughout this most troublesome time. Phrases can’t describe our shock and sorrow surrounding this tragic occasion. We proceed to cooperate totally with the investigating authorities.”

Her mom, Maitlyn Gandy, additionally launched a GoFundMe, saying:

“All donations are being allotted for justice for Athena. We’re drastically moved by all the assist proven in the neighborhood. Please proceed to hope for consolation for the households and first responders and that our purpose ahead will likely be to aim to get justice for Athena and closure for her household.”

She later shared a message on Fb, calling Athena “harmless, lovely, type, clever, and simply the brightest, happiest soul you could possibly ever meet.” Maitlyn then stated her daughter was taken by a “sick, merciless monster for completely no purpose,” including:

“I don’t need her to be the lady often known as the one murdered and discarded by a monster. I would like everybody to know, each single individual on this world, that that is my child and my child was taken from me. I would like everybody to know her face and her voice and simply how great of an individual she is.”

The mother thanked the “a whole bunch if not 1000’s of volunteers” and police who helped discover her this week:

“It takes a particular sort of individual and whether or not a baby is yours or not, working crime scenes involving youngsters are exhausting. Thanks for locating my child. I do know everybody needs this might have ended in a different way.”

At the moment, Athena’s reason behind loss of life is at present beneath investigation. Our hearts exit to Athena’s family members after this unthinkable tragedy.

[Image via Texas Department Of Safety, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, ABC7 Chicago/YouTube]