Athena Strand Was Abducted by FedEx Driver Just 200 Yards From Home—Sheriff

The body of missing 7-year-old Athena Strand has been found after police said she was likely abducted by a FedEx driver just 200 yards from her home on Wednesday evening.

The 7-year-old's body was found around six miles from her home in Paradise, Texas on Friday, according to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin.

Akin told a press conference that a FedEx driver had been taken into custody and was being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

The man had been identified by police as 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner and Akin reported that the suspect had given a confession, although the sheriff did not provide details saying it was still "very early" but that he wanted to get the information to the public.

During the press conference, Akin was asked whether Strand had been abducted from her home or in front of her home.

"The driveway is about 200 yards or so," Akin said. "So probably pretty close to her gate."

Speaking at the press conference on Friday, Akin said: "We want to send our condolences out to the family of Athena Strand. Her body was recovered about two hours ago, maybe three.

"They [the investigative team] were able to determine that the driver abducted Athena and from the investigative standpoint, digitally, as well as good old interviews, we think Athena died within just the very hour or so after her departure from her home."

Who is Tanner Lynn Horner?

Tanner Lynn Horner, the 31-year-old suspect in the abduction of Athena Strand, works as a FedEx driver and is from Fort Worth, Texas.

He does not appear to have a criminal record in either Wise or Tarrant counties, according to a report from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and his social media accounts indicate he has worked for Uber and was a musician.

He is not related to Athena Strand's family and does not know them, police said, while Akin did not address a possible motive.

Horner is currently being held in the Wise County Jail on $1.5 million bond.

At Friday's press conference, authorities said that Horner was from Lake Worth but property records cited by the Star-Telegram indicated that he lives within the city limits of Fort Worth.

"To be clear, the suspect does NOT reside in the City of Lake Worth, but rather near the lake itself—miles away from COLW [City of Lake Worth]," Lake Worth Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian tweeted.

Delivered Parcel to Home

Akin confirmed to reporters that a FedEx driver had delivered a package to Athena Strand's home on Wednesday.

"We knew early on in the investigation that there had been a FedEx driver, made a delivery in front of the house, about the same time that little Athena, 7-year-old Athena, came up missing," Akin said.

Authorities believe she was abducted at around 6 p.m.

FedEx issued a statement late on Friday, saying: "Words cannot describe our shock at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities. At this time, any further questions should be directed to law enforcement."

'We Have a Confession'

Horner has reportedly made a confession following his arrest, Akin said at the Friday press conference, but offered no further information.

"We really can't get into the content of the confession, but I will say that we have a confession. It's still very, very early, but we wanted to make sure that we got the information out," the sheriff said.

Newsweek has reached out to the Wise County Sheriff's Office for comment.

Update 12/03/22 04.30 a.m. E.T.: This article has been updated to include more information.