The FedEx driver accused of murdering seven-year-old Athena Strand could face the death penalty, multiple outlets have reported.

As previously detailed, Strand was reported missing on November 30 last year, prompting a widespread search involving hundreds of volunteers in the area. Just days later, on December 2, it was sadly announced by Texas' Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin that Strand's body had been discovered nearly 11 miles away from her father's home.

A FedEx driver - 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner - was arrested in connection to the murder and allegedly confessed to officials. CBS News reports that Strand likely died within an hour of being abducted.

Police say that Horner has claimed that he had accidentally hit Strand with his van while backing into her father's driveway to make a delivery - which turned out to be her Christmas present - but confessed that he strangled her when she said she would alert her father. He then reportedly dumped her body.

Strand's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, has previously spoken out about her daughter's tragic death, stating: "We are very forgiving people. If Athena was not injured or even if she had a few bumps and scrapes, he could have just driven away. We could have forgiven him [...] Accidents do happen, but he chose to do more - and what he did was unforgivable. I have a hard time believing Athena couldn't have walked away. Athena could have just walked away, and I wish he would have let her."

Police have now reportedly asked prosecutors involved in Strand's case to seek the death penalty for Horner's crimes, after he was indicted last week on two charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under the age of 10, per NBC DFW.

Grandy subsequently released a statement, saying: "I would like to thank the Wise County grand jury for their role in this process. Hearing the facts and circumstances of my 7-year-old daughter's kidnapping and murder was undoubtedly very difficult for them. I want them to know that their work is deeply appreciated.

"Tanner Horner's indictment is the beginning of a long road through the justice system. I appreciate everyone's continued support and for keeping Athena's name and memory alive. Please take a moment to hug your children and loved ones. No one is promised another day," it concluded.

If Horner is convicted on the capital murder charge, he could be facing either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. He is also being held on four charges relating to the sexual assault of a child in 2013, though this is unrelated to Strand's case.

In Texas, the only crime capable of resulting in a death penalty is capital murder, according to the Texas Penal Code. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has detailed that three prisoners have already received the death penalty this year alone, while last year that number stood at five.

Our thoughts continue to go out to Athena's family and loved ones at this time.

Featured image credit: Facebook

Athena Strand, a seven-year-old girl from Texas, has been found dead after allegedly being kidnapped by a FedEx delivery driver.

As reported by NBC News, Strand was reported missing from her father's home on Wednesday evening (November 30). The news of her disappearance started a community-wide search involving approximately 200 volunteers from the area.

Tragically, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin announced on Friday (December 2) night that the young girl's body was discovered southeast of the city of Boyd - roughly 11 miles away from her father's home.

Police officials said that a FedEx truck driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, abducted Strand and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and a confession, CBS News reported.

According to the Wise County Sheriff's Office, Strand was dropped off from school at her home in Paradise at 4:30 PM on Wednesday (November 30).

After being dropped off, her father left to go hunting, which was when the young girl and her stepmother allegedly got into an argument.

"We know that there was a little bit of an argument between her and her step-mom last night but it isn’t anything unusual," Akin said during a police search. "There was that argument, then step-mom went to fix dinner, came back to get Athena, and Athena wasn’t in her room."

Her stepmother reportedly called the police to report her missing around 6:40 PM that day when she didn't find Strand in her room. An Amber Alert was then issued the next day, which was when local volunteers joined officers in the overnight search for the young girl.

According to CNN, Horner was allegedly making a delivery to Strand's home at the time she disappeared. Authorities disclosed during a press conference that they received a tip that helped them determine the FedEx driver as the suspect who abducted the child.

"We knew early on in the investigation that there had been a FedEx driver, made a delivery in front of the house, about the same time that little Athena, seven-year-old Athena, came up missing," Akin told reporters.

However, officials did not indicate a possible motive and said that the suspect did not know the family or the child, per CNN. In addition to this, Strand's cause of death remains under investigation.

After confirmation of her death, Strand's mother, Maitlyn Presley Gandy, posted a devastating statement on social media calling her a "princess" and describing her murderer as a "cruel, sick monster".

"Athena is innocent, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and just the brightest, happiest soul you could ever meet. I don’t want her to be the girl known as the one murdered and discarded by a monster," she said.

"I want everyone to know, every single person in this world, that this is my baby and my baby was taken from me. I want everyone to know her face and her voice and just how wonderful of a person she is," she added.

In a statement to CNN, FedEx also expressed its condolences and sympathy to Strand's family. They also directed any further questions to law enforcement.

"Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities," the statement reads.

Horner is being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. He is expected in court on Monday (December 5) for a detention hearing and his bond is set at $ 1.5 million.

Furthermore, a GoFundMe titled "Athena's Justice" was created on Friday (December 2) by her mother, Maitlyn Presley Gandy. It has garnered $44,275 in donations at the time of writing - almost reaching its $50,000 goal - and will be "dedicated to seeking justice to the fullest extent".

Our thoughts go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Andrew Carruth / Alamy

Authorities have released more details surrounding the death of seven-year-old Athena Strand.

Last week, the nation was stunned to learn of the news that Athena's body had been discovered following a search that involved around 200 volunteers and members of the local police department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, US Marshals, the FBI, and Texas Rangers.

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.

Fox4News has now reported further details surrounding Athena's death after the release of a newly filed arrest affidavit.

According to Horner's confession, the driver had finished delivering a package to the home of Athena's father in Paradise, Wise County. As he was backing up his FedEx truck, he claims to have accidentally struck Athena.

Horner has told investigators that the child was alive and not seriously hurt after he struck her with the vehicle - even being able to tell him her name.

However, court documents show that a panicking Horner picked up Athena and placed her in the truck.

In an attempt to kill the child, he tried to break her neck. Failing to do so, he then strangled her in the back of his vehicle. Horner's reported reason for killing the child was due to the fact he didn't want Athena to tell her parents what had happened.

Following his arrest, Horner directed investigators to CR 4668 in Boyd - the location of where he tried to hide Athena's body in the water.

Sheriff Akin is now reportedly seeking the death penalty for Athena's murder.

Earlier in the day, Athena had returned from school that afternoon as usual. After a disagreement with her stepmom, she reportedly left the family home. Athena's father was out on a hunting trip at the time.

When Athena's stepmother went to tell Athena that her dinner was ready, she noticed the child was not in her room, per Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin. At approximately 6:40PM, the stepmother called 911 and alerted the authorities about Athena's disappearance.

The local community have since paid tribute to Athena by placing pink balloons around the area where he body was found. Athena's mom says pink was her favorite color.

In an emotional Facebook post, Athena's grieving mom, Maitlyn Gandy penned a message aimed at Horner.

Sharing images of Horner's mugshot, Gandy wrote the following message:

"This is the monster that took my baby from me and this world. You will know her name, Tanner. Her name IS Athena Presley Monroe Strand. I know your DOB, 8/8/1991. Do you know hers? I will make damn sure you learn what you took from me and her daddy."

Our thoughts continue to go out to anybody affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Facebook

FedEx has issued a statement following the tragic death of seven-year-old Athena Strand in Texas.

On Friday, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin announced that Athena's body was found southeast of the city of Boyd, roughly 11 miles away from her father's home.

The heartbreaking news came after 200 volunteers from the local community joined a desperate search to find the girl after she disappeared from her father's home on Wednesday.

"We knew early on in the investigation that there had been a FedEx driver, made a delivery in front of the house, about the same time that little Athena, 7-year-old Athena, came up missing," Akin told reporters on Friday.

NBC DFW has reported that 31-year-old FedEx contract driver Tanner Lynn Horner is facing aggravated kidnapping and capital murder charges after reportedly confessing to killing Athena.

Per CNN, authorities believe the delivery driver snatched the young girl from the property's driveway.

Athena is believed to have died within one hour of being kidnapped.

Horner's bail was set at $1.5 million.

"It’s one of the toughest investigations that I’ve been involved in because it’s a child. And anytime there’s a child that dies, it just hits you in your heart," Akin said during the press conference.

Over the weekend, FedEx provided the following statement to CNN:

"Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities."

Akin did not state the exact location where the child's body was found, nor did he provide any motive or cause of death.

Following the devastating news, Athena's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, took to social media to pay tribute to her "princess" - sharing dozens of photos of her daughter to Facebook.

"I want the world to know my baby, my first baby, my first true love, the reason I breathe," she wrote alongside the images. "I love my daughter beyond words and I will always love her."

The mother's post continues: "I cannot describe the pain and absolute anger I feel. Missing her doesn’t cover how I feel. My daughters name is Athena Presley Monroe Strand, which she would happily announce to anyone listening, and anyone not listening she would make listen.

"My princess was taken from me from a sick, cruel monster for absolutely no reason.

"Athena is innocent, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and just the brightest, happiest soul you could ever meet. I don’t want her to be the girl known as the one murdered and discarded by a monster. I want everyone to know, every single person in this world, that this is my baby and my baby was taken from me."

"I want everyone to know her face and her voice and just how wonderful of a person she is," the mom concludes.

In another post, Gandy listed her late daughter's favorite things - noting that her "favorite color is pink. She loves to dress up as the princess we all know she is. When she grows up, she wants to be a Viking princess".

"Athena is loved by mommy and daddy, and all of her sisters, many many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents," the mom adds.

Referring to the upcoming trial into her daughter's death, Gandy wrote: "She no longer has a voice but I will be the best voice I can as a mother for her and I will not stop."

The grieving mom also thanked the hundreds of volunteers who joined the search for Athena last week, and praised "the departments of the many many different agencies and all of the agencies and organizations that came into Wise County to help me find my baby".

As well as the hundreds of volunteers, the FBI, Texas Rangers Division, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the US Marshals Service all contributed to the search and investigation.

Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Facebook

The mother of Athena Strand, who was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a FedEx driver, has stated that she wants the death penalty for her daughter's killer.

As per NBC News, Strand was reported missing from her father's home on the evening of November 30, and this sparked a widespread search involving over 200 volunteers from the area.

On December 2 it was sadly announced by Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin that Strand's body had been discovered nearly 11 miles away from her father's home.

A FedEx driver - 31- year-old Tanner Lynn Horner - was arrested in connection to the murder and allegedly confessed to officials. CBS News reports that Strand likely died within an hour of being abducted.

Strand's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, recently spoke to WFAA where she revealed she is open to her daughter's killer getting the death penalty if charged.

"I support the death penalty. In any sentencing that may come," Gandy said. "If I could sit down in front of him, I would tell him that he is nothing, but that Athena is absolutely everything, and I will make sure that everybody in this world knows that he is nothing and that she is everything."

Horner allegedly kidnapped Strand after hitting her with his van while delivering a package, which turned out to contain her Christmas present of Barbie dolls. He is claimed to have panicked and put her in his van when she began saying she would tell her father about the incident, resulting in Horner strangling the seven-year-old, as reported by the Daily Mail.

"We are very forgiving people. If Athena was not injured or even if she had a few bumps and scrapes, he could have just driven away. We could have forgiven him," Gandy said.

She continued: "Accidents do happen, but he chose to do more - and what he did was unforgivable. I have a hard time believing Athena couldn't have walked away. Athena could have just walked away, and I wish he would have let her."

Gandy revealed that the hardest moment of the ordeal so far was having to see her daughter's face at her funeral. She released images of Strand's coffin which was bright pink - her favorite color - lined with fur and an image of the smiling seven-year-old.

Gandy has vowed she will fight for justice for her daughter.

Featured image credit: B Christopher / Alamy