A driver working for FedEx was arrested and charged Friday with the kidnapping and murder of a 7-year-old girl, who went missing earlier this week, in Texas.
“We are heartbroken to know that this child has died,” testifies Lane Akin, the sheriff of Wise County.
“It was one of the most trying investigations since it was a child who was involved,” he adds.
Athena Strand had been missing since Wednesday. The little girl was reportedly killed the hour after she was abducted from the driveway of her house.
The suspect, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, has been charged with murder and kidnapping. He is currently being held at the Wise County Jail. Bail was set at $1.5 million.
Tanner Lynn Horner | CNN screenshot
Mr. Horner, identified as a driver for FedEx, allegedly delivered to Athena’s home when she disappeared.
“Athena is innocent, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and just the brightest, happiest soul you can meet. I don’t want her to be the girl known as the one who was murdered and dumped by a monster. I want everyone to know this is my baby and my baby was taken from me,” wrote Maitlyn Presley Gandy, Athena’s mother.
The girl’s cause of death is still not known.