The family of seven-year-old Athena Strand - who was allegedly killed by a FedEx delivery driver - has sued the transport company and one of its subcontractors, according to court documents filed on Tuesday (December 13).
The delivery driver - Tanner Lynn Horner - had worked as a FedEx Ground driver but was employed by one of its subcontractors, Big Topspin, Inc., CNN detailed.
According to the outlet, Horner was arrested earlier this month on capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges, after authorities stated that he accidentally hit Strand with his van while backing into her father's driveway to make a delivery on November 30.
Horner had told authorities that he had then put the seven-year-old in his van before killing her, fearing that she would alert someone about the incident.
The girl's father, Jacob Strand, filed the lawsuit in Texas - where the family resides - accusing FedEx and Big Topspin, Inc. of gross negligence, according to an ABC7 Chicago report. The family is seeking more than $1 million in damages.
Devastatingly, Strand's mother Maitlyn Gandy stated that Horner had been dropping off her daughter's Christmas present - Barbie dolls - before he allegedly murdered her. "Athena was robbed of the opportunity to grow up to be anything she wanted to be - and this present, ordered out of innocence and love, is one she will never receive," Gandy said at a press conference, via The Daily Mail.
Police have revealed that Horner led them straight to Strand's body, confessing to kidnapping and strangling her to death after accidentally hitting her with his delivery truck. At the time, the 31-year-old had said that she wasn't seriously hurt after being injured, but that he'd panicked and become worried that she would have told someone, according to an arrest warrant obtained by The Daily Mail.
The warrant also detailed how Strand had walked towards the van, telling Horner her name. However, after being hit, she'd said that she was going to alert her father, which spurred Horner to end her life.
FedEx has responded to the lawsuit, stating: "Our thoughts remain with the family of Athena Strand in the wake of this tragedy. We are aware of the complaint filed against FedEx Ground." Big Topspin, Inc. has allegedly not released a comment.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Athena Strand.
