FedEx driver Tanner Lynn Horner who murdered Athena Strand was delivering her 'Christmas present'
WISE COUNTY, TEXAS: Maitlyn Gandy the mother of 7-year-old Athena Strand, who was abducted and killed by a FedEx driver Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, on November 30 spoke to the public on December 8. Gandy was joined by her family, and their attorney as she shared memories about her daughter. Gandy said her daughter’s favorite holiday was Christmas and sadly, Tanner the accused, was delivering her a part of her Christmas present – Barbie dolls. Athena Strand's body was found Friday evening, December, 2 as authorities issued an AMBER Alert on December 1.
The now opened package was set out on display, along with the hashtag #AnswersforAthena, as Gandy spoke. “I was robbed of watching her grow up by a man that everyone was supposed to be able to trust to do just one simple task, to deliver a Christmas present and leave,” she said. Gandy sobbed as she said Strand will never be able to participate in Christmas customs or unwrap gifts with her three younger siblings, who must now continue on without her.
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Athena Strand: Texans to wear pink to honor 7-year-old girl kidnapped and killed by FedEx driver
Grateful that the Wise County community poured love and support into her and her family, she continued, “From the moment Athena went missing, this community flew into action, and they have not stopped. I have felt your prayers, I have read your messages and your letters, and I see your pink everywhere,” she said as per KHOU11. On Wise County Judge JD Clark's call on Monday everyone in the county was urged to wear Strand's favorite pink. Gandy told the public she would spend the rest of her life fighting for Strand so that no other family would have to feel the same pain.
According to officials, Horner is currently being held in a single cell at the Wise County Law Enforcement Center. His bail was set at $1.5 million.“A monster attempted to take Athena’s voice, but we are her voice,” Gandy said. “Screening and hiring policies must be put into place so that monsters wearing delivery uniforms don’t show up on our children’s doorsteps.”
The family’s attorney, Benson Varghese, as per the report said “The ultimate goal here is to ensure that no parent or grandparent or family member feels the loss that Maitlyn is going through right now,” Varghese said. “So wherever that investigation takes us and whoever we find responsible are people that are going to have to face a reckoning, ”Varghese stated he fully supports the Wise County Sheriff's decision to ask the Wise County District Attorney to pursue the death sentence for Horner. “They are doing what the community wants. And it is undoubtedly appreciated by everyone in this community and certainly, Maitlyn and the family."