An arrest warrant affidavit has been released regarding the Athena Strand case, providing new details into the disappearance and death of the young girl.
As reported in a previous article, Athena Strand went missing on the evening of November 30th. Local, state, and national law enforcement agencies joined in the search to find Athena which unfortunately ended with the discovery of her body on Friday evening, December 2nd.
Horner had just delivered a package to the home and was backing out of the driveway when he accidentally hit Athena. Authorities say Athena was not seriously hurt in the crash; however, she said she was going to tell her dad about getting hit. Upon hearing that she was going to tell her father, the suspect put her in his GMC van and strangled her to death.
He then drove a few miles east and dumped her body along County Road 4668 near Boyd.
Investigators worked with a Dallas-based FedEx contractor to identify Tanner Horner and place him at the scene of the crime that evening. Police arrested him and he confessed to the crime. He was also able to pinpoint the location where he dumped her body.
Tanner Horner has been charged with Capital Murder and Aggravated Kidnapping. He remains in Wise County jail on a $1,500,000 bond.
