The grandfather of Athena Strand has spoken out following the heartbreaking death of the 7-year-old in Texas.
Last week, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin shared the tragic news that, after two days of searching, the body of Athena Strand had been found.
At the time, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin announced that 31-year-old FedEx contract driver Tanner Lynn Horner had been arrested on the charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. Officials have revealed that Horner - of Lake Worth, Texas - had delivered a package to the girl's home around the time she went missing.
Police officials said that a delivery driver abducted Strand and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and a confession, CBS News reported.
Details have since emerged in an arrest affidavit that Horner supplied a confession to investigators, saying that he took the child from her father's home after accidentally striking the child with his FedEx truck.
He had just delivered a package to the family's home.
Despite saying that Athena was talking to him after the collision, he told investigators that he panicked and put her in his vehicle. He then attempted to kill her by breaking her neck. When that failed, he strangled her in the back of the van.
Horner then directed officials to CR 4668 in Boyd - the location where he tried to hide Athena's body in the water.
As details surrounding the case continue to emerge, some of Athena's family have taken to social media to pay tribute to the young girl.
Now, as reported by Fox 4 News, Strand's grandfather has taken to Facebook to share a post about how his granddaughter's death has resulted in him turning to God to forgive Athena's alleged killer.
"I can’t quiet my mind and I have to share this," Mark Strand begins his post. "A friend just asked me the other day if I believe God speaks to people? I happen to know He does, as He is speaking to me now."
Despite admitting that he is "angry" about Athena's passing, Mark Strand says a "gentle voice continues to tell me, I need to forgive him."
"Hate is a powerful force that will take root in your soul," the grandfather writes. "God wants to protect us all from that hate. Hate is the gateway for the Evil we see growing in the world today. If you stood that man before me right now, because of the hate that’s trying to root itself in my mind, I would probably kill him."
However, after further discussion his faith and the importance of forgiveness, the grandfather adds: "There’s not one ounce of my flesh that wants to do this or say this, but my spirit has heard God’s voice and right now, while tears flood my eyes, I declare publicly that I forgive this man!
"Hate will not win. I hope my family will understand that I don’t do this for the sake of this man. I do this for the sake of my family and myself and to Honor the voice of God who is giving me the strength to say this.
"I do this to honor our precious Athena who knew no hate.
"This man won’t be allowed any real estate to live in my brain, he belongs to God and God’s justice will done."
"Love Conquers All and Forgives," he concludes. "Today, I choose Love and hate loses."
As of this writing, a GoFundMe titled "Athena's Justice" - created by the child's mother - has garnered $58,000 in donations. The money raised will be "dedicated to seeking justice to the fullest extent".
