Texas girl, 7, found dead after being kidnapped by FedEx driver who delivered to her home, officials say

A seven-year-old girl has been found dead in Texas after being kidnapped by a FedEx delivery driver, officials have said.

As reported by NBC News, Athena Strand was reported missing from her father's Paradise home on Wednesday evening (roughly 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth). The news of the girl's disappearance prompted a community-wide search involving approximately 200 volunteers from the area.

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

Per CBS News, Akin told reporters on Friday: "We do have a confession," prior to announcing the death of the child.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin has confirmed that the body of 7-year-old Athena Strand has been found. Credit: Facebook

"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.

The sheriff then revealed that 31-year-old FedEx contract driver Tanner Lynn Horner has 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.

CBS reports that Athena's stepmother reported her missing at around 6:40PM on Wednesday after the two had "an argument while her father was not home".

Investigators say that Athena is thought to have died "within the very hour or so" after going missing from her father's home.

Akin also indicated to reporters that Horner had confessed to the crime, with investigators reportedly obtaining "digital evidence" related to Athena's disappearance. No further details were provided.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin speaking to reporters on Friday evening. Credit: YouTube/WFAA

Additionally, Akin did not state the exact location where the child's body was found, nor did he provide any motive or cause of death. It has been reported that Athena's body was located following a tip that investigators had received earlier in the day.

Horner is currently being held on $1.5 million bail at Wise County Jail.

FedEx is reportedly cooperating fully with investigators, CBS News notes.

Volunteers and investigators searched for three days following an amber alert. Credit: YouTube/CBSDFW

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 go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Björn Wylezich / Alamy