Tanner Lynn Horner
Former FedEx Ground Delivery Driver & Independent Contractor
Sentenced to death by lethal injection on May 5, 2026, following a guilty plea to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
OVERVIEW & LEGAL HISTORY SUMMARY
Tanner Lynn Horner (born August 8, 1991) is a former FedEx Ground delivery driver employed as an independent contractor through Big Topspin, Inc. On November 30, 2022, Horner was dispatched to deliver a package containing Barbie dolls to a rural residence in Paradise, Wise County, Texas, where seven-year-old Athena Presley Monroe Strand was staying. After delivering the package, Horner abducted Athena from her driveway and forced her into his commercial delivery van, where he strangled her to death before transporting her body to a waterway near Bobo's Crossing in Boyd, Texas. Following an investigation utilizing vehicle GPS telematics, Horner was arrested on December 2, 2022, confessed to the crime, and led law enforcement officers to the victim's body. A Wise County grand jury indicted him on February 16, 2023, for capital murder of a child under 10 and aggravated kidnapping, and District Attorney James Stainton filed notice seeking the death penalty. In September 2024, Judge Brock Smith granted a change of venue to Tarrant County due to extensive pre-trial publicity. Trial opened on April 7, 2026, when Horner entered a guilty plea to all charges, shifting proceedings directly to the capital punishment phase before a jury. On May 5, 2026, the Tarrant County jury unanimously recommended the death penalty, and Judge George Gallagher formally sentenced Horner to death by lethal injection. On May 12, 2026, defense counsel filed a notice of appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and on August 1, 2026, Judge Gallagher denied a motion seeking a new trial.
EVENT TIMELINE
Tanner Lynn Horner is born in Texas.
Tanner Lynn Horner abducts 7-year-old Athena Strand from her driveway in Paradise, Texas, after delivering a package, and strangles her inside his delivery truck.
Horner is arrested, confesses to the abduction and murder, and leads law enforcement officers to the victim's body near Boyd, Texas.
Jacob Strand, Athena's father, files a wrongful death lawsuit in Wise County District Court against Horner, FedEx Ground, and Big Topspin, Inc.
Horner is charged with three counts of sexual assault of a minor stemming from unrelated 2013 incidents.
A Wise County grand jury indicts Horner on charges of Capital Murder of a Person Under 10 and Aggravated Kidnapping.
Maitlyn Gandy, Athena's mother, files a Plea in Intervention joining the civil lawsuit as co-plaintiff against Horner, FedEx Ground, and Big Topspin.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton formally files notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Horner.
Horner pleads not guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges during his arraignment in Wise County.
District Judge Brock Smith orders the capital trial moved to Tarrant County District Court due to extensive pre-trial publicity.
Horner unexpectedly pleads guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in Tarrant County District Court, initiating the capital punishment phase.
A Tarrant County jury unanimously recommends the death penalty, and Judge George Gallagher formally sentences Horner to death by lethal injection.
Defense counsel files a formal notice of appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Tarrant County Senior District Judge George Gallagher formally denies Horner's motion seeking a new trial.
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VERIFIED SOURCES
✓Legal and Judicial Analysis of State of Texas v. Tanner Lynn Horner
https://versustexas.com/wp-content/uploads/23.02.17-Gandy-Plea-in-Intervention-Petition-5.pdf
Murder of Athena Strand - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Athena_Strand
Tanner Horner sentenced to death penalty for 2022 kidnapping, murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand - CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/tanner-horner-trial-sentenced-death-penalty-kidnapping-murder-athena-strand/
Who Is Tanner Horner? All About the Delivery Driver Sentenced to Death for Athena Strand's Murder - Biography
https://www.biography.com/crime/a70965748/who-is-tanner-horner-athena-strand-murder-case
Plaintiff's Plea in Intervention — Cause No. CV22-12-895 (Wise County District Court)
https://versustexas.com/wp-content/uploads/23.02.17-Gandy-Plea-in-Intervention-Petition-5.pdf
Key Facts & Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is Tanner Lynn Horner's current legal status?
Tanner Lynn Horner is currently categorized as "In Prison". Sentenced to death by lethal injection on May 5, 2026, following a guilty plea to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
Q.Where is Tanner Lynn Horner now?
As of the last verified date (September 29, 2026), Tanner Lynn Horner's verified status is: In Prison. Sentenced to death by lethal injection on May 5, 2026, following a guilty plea to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
Q.Is Tanner Lynn Horner in prison, on bail, or released?
The verified judicial status for Tanner Lynn Horner is "In Prison". Sentenced to death by lethal injection on May 5, 2026, following a guilty plea to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
Q.Which primary case or trial is Tanner Lynn Horner associated with?
Tanner Lynn Horner is documented in connection with "State of Texas v. Tanner Lynn Horner" (Capital Offenses, Murder & Homicide, Violent Crime).
Q.When was this status information last verified?
This record was last verified against official court and public registry records on September 29, 2026 with a confidence score of 100%.