An atrocious FedEx driver was apprehended for brutally killing a seven-year-old girl in his delivery van while singing a Christmas song as the child cried out in pain and terror.
The perpetrator, identified as Tanner Horner, 34, abducted Athena Strand from her residence in Texas while dropping off Barbie toys her parents had purchased for her in November 2022. Horner was overheard singing ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ as he committed the heinous act. Disturbing audio from Horner’s dashcam captured the moment he took Athena’s life inside the van.
Tragically, Athena was strangled to death by the murderer after being taken from her home in Paradise, Texas.
The chilling footage from the dashcam revealed Horner arriving at the girl’s home, dropping off packages, and then luring Athena into his van.
After placing Athena inside the vehicle, the frightened girl questioned Horner, asking if he was a kidnapper.
Additionally, a disturbing image presented in court depicted the girl kneeling behind Horner in the van as he drove her away from her family.
Despite Horner attempting to cover the camera, audio from inside the van continued to record. Approximately 30 minutes into the footage, the Christmas song “Jingle Bell Rock” played on the radio as the malevolent killer sang along. Athena screamed in agony, prompting Horner to threaten her and make inappropriate comments before the video showed her distressing ordeal.
Horner confessed to one count of capital murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping just hours before his trial was set to begin. The court will determine whether he will face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
According to an arrest warrant, Horner initially claimed to authorities that he accidentally struck Athena with his van and then panicked. He admitted to placing her in the back of the vehicle before committing the heinous act of strangulation.