Body of 7-year-old Texas girl found; FedEx driver arrested
PARADISE, Texas — A 7-year-old Texas girl has been found dead, two days after being reported missing, and a FedEx delivery driver was arrested in her death, authorities said.
The body of Athena Strand was found Friday, and Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murder after confessing to killing the girl and telling authorities where to find her body, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said.
Horner remained jailed Saturday on $1.5-million bond. Jail records did not list an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Akin said during a late Friday news conference that a tip led authorities to Horner, who the sheriff said had made a delivery to the girl’s home shortly before she disappeared.
A coyote attacked a toddler in broad daylight and tried to drag her away before her father rescued her, according to security video and the family.
Horner did not know the girl’s family, according to Akin, who declined to discuss a motive for the crime.
“We really can’t get into the content of the confession, but I will say we have a confession” from Horner, Akin said.
The girl’s stepmother had reported her missing Wednesday from the family home near Paradise on the northwestern outskirts of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Her body was found near the town of Boyd, about six miles southeast of Paradise, a town of about 475 people, Akin said.
James Dwyer, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Dallas field office, said FedEx cooperated with investigators.
FedEx said in a statement that it is working with law enforcement agencies investigating the case.
“Our thoughts are with the family of Athena Strand during this most difficult time,” the statement said. “Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow surrounding this tragic event.”
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