Killer FedEx driver Tanner Horner claimed he had made a “deal with the devil” by slaying 7-year-old Athena Strand, the jury at his murder trial was told.
The confessed child murderer compared his crimes to the 2017 movie “American Satan,” in which a rock band commits human sacrifices as part of a pact with a demonic entity to achieve fame and success, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Eileen Ryan told the jury in a Fort Worth, Texas, courtroom on Wednesday.
“He [Horner] spoke quite specifically about the movie ‘American Satan.’ He described a belief that he had entered into a ‘deal with the devil’ — not necessarily in a supernatural sense, but as a catastrophic moral trade,” Ryan said.
“In his mind, he believed that by taking Athena’s life, he was ‘saving’ his own life and career,” she added.
Killer FedEx driver Tanner Horner claimed he had made a “deal with the devil” by slaying 7-year-old Athena Strand.FOX 4 DFW
“He felt that if he didn’t do this, his world would end, his job would be gone, and he would be ruined,” Ryan said.
Heartbroken mom kills herself hours after husband allegedly murdered their baby daughter
The psychiatrist noted that, while Horner has diagnoses of Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, these were not the cause of his heinous crimes.
Rather, she said they contributed to his “rigid, black-and-white thinking,” where the only two options were Athena’s death or his life being ruined.
Athena Strand, 7, was strangled in the back of Tanner Horner’s FedEx truck in 2022.Family Handout
Under cross-examination, she admitted that, despite Horner’s diagnoses, he still had the capacity to plan, hide evidence, and lie to investigators to cover his tracks.
A jury will determine whether Horner will be sentenced to death.AP
Horner is awaiting sentencing for the November 2022 murder of Athena, after kidnapping her from outside her home in Paradise, Texas, and before dumping her naked body in a rural creek.
TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner: Murder of Athena Strand Trial
FORT WORTH, Texas (Court TV) — A man faces a potential death sentence in Texas after pleading guilty to killing a 7-year-old girl moments before his trial was supposed to begin.
Tanner Horner appears in court on April 7, 2026. (Court TV)
Tanner Lynn Horner, 35, had been charged with aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under 10 years old in the death of Athena Strand, who disappeared from her home on Nov. 30, 2022.
On Tuesday, as the trial began, Horner pleaded guilty to the charges, meaning the jury seated will now only be tasked with determining whether he will face the death penalty.
Athena, 7, lived at home with her father and stepmother and had been sorting laundry in a converted storage shed that served as her and her sister’s bedroom when she disappeared. Athena’s stepmother, Elizabeth Strand, called 911 at 6:41 pm after she was unable to find the little girl.
This photo provided by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety shows 7-year-old Athena Strand. 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner has been arrested on kidnapping and murder charges in the Strand’s death. (Texas Dept. of Public Safey)
Detectives on the case determined that FedEx had delivered a package to the Strand home during the time frame when Athena disappeared. They further found that the package was delivered by a company contracted by FedEx called Big Topspin. Working with the companies, investigators were able to obtain video from the van that delivered the package that showed a young girl in the van talking to the driver, later identified as Horner.
When he was approached by police, Horner allegedly admitted to taking Athena and confessed that the child was dead. He said that he had accidentally hit her with the van, and while she wasn’t seriously hurt, he was worried that she would tell her father. Police said Horner said he panicked and decided to kill the child. “When he attempted to break Athena’s neck, it did not work, so he strangled her with his bare hands in the back of the FedEx van,” detectives wrote in an arrest affidavit reviewed by Court TV.
Horner allegedly led police to an area approximately 15 miles away, where Athena’s body was found in the water.
DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 16 – 4/4/26
There is no court scheduled for Friday, May 1.
DAY 15 – 4/30/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 15 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Dr. Eric Imhof, Forensic psychologist
Discussed autism evaluation.
Diagnosed Horner with bipolar I disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Dr. Stentz, Clinical Director of autism support services for specialized treatment and assessment resources
Said that Horneer meets the criteria for autism.
Jacqueline, Tanner Horner’s grandmother, testified off-camera
She is disabled due to multiple sclerosis.
Her father was abusive and she was sexually assaulted when she was younger.
Diagnosed with depression and PTSD.
Two siblings committed suicide.
Dropped out of school at 15 while pregnant with Horner’s mother.
Went on to get her GED and became a barber for 40 years.
She did better with Horner than she did with her own children.
Horner had Asperger’s, talked about how the diagnosis affected him.
The incident was horrific; they think about him and pray for him every day.
DAY 14 – 4/29/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 14 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Elizabeth, who knows Horner, testified off-camera.
Met through one of Horner’s ex-girlfriends, he gravitated to controlling women.
Described Horner as a follower. He kept to himself and had social anxiety.
WATCH: Friend Reveals Child Killer’s Fascination with Dominating Women
Lee, who knows Horner, testified off-camera.
Met Horner through a friend.
Described him as funny and a little different.
Worked with him at a glass company.
Jason, a contractor for FedEx, testified off-camera.
Horner worked for about 5-6 months and had a good work ethic.
Gave him about $1100 to help him financially.
A convicted felon who lives across from Horner in jail testified off-camera
Described Horner as a cool little white dude and a “baby lamb.”
Believes Horner is a good man despite what he did.
Did not know all the details of what happened.
Dr. Julian Davies, clinical professor of pediatrics
Horner has a diagnosis of moderate neurodevelopmental disorder, alcohol exposed. That can impair executive skills, learning, memory, visual perception and fine motor abilities.
He has no physical features that would have led to an early diagnosis; long-term outcomes can be challenging as the diagnosis goes unrecognized and unsupported.
Dr. Steven Lee Yont, physician
Examined Horner for a physical exam with blood and urine tests.
Found physical abnormalities in Horner’s testosterone levels, both total and free. They were low compared to normal ranges.
DAY 13 – 4/28/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 13 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
The mother of one of Horner’s friends testified off-camera.
Said both children were bullied.
WATCH: Child Killer and Friend Both Bullied Growing Up: Witness
Jay, a friend of Horner’s, testified off-camera.
Met Horner in 2014 through a mutual friend.
He was shocked when he heard the news.
Described Horner as a goofball.
Tanner would hit himself several times before hitting somebody else.
WATCH: Friend Reveals Child Killer Hurt Himself During Relationship
A convicted felon who knew Horner testified off-camera
Knew Horner through music; they discussed band life.
The two used drugs together.
Dr. Eileen Ryan, professor of psychiatry and behavioral health
Did a comprehensive forensic psychiatric evaluation.
Discussed Horner’s diagnoses.
Talked about Horner’s suicide attempt in jail, where he had cuts to his upper and lower extremities and noted a previous suicide attempt in 2018.
DAY 12 – 4/27/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 12 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Marie, who works in special education, testified off-camera
Explained the difference between 504 students and special education students.
Horner was a special education student.
Horner was a pleasant young man and was generally able to problem-solve issues with other students, but he had a few instances where he could not control his emotions, which led to rare physical altercations.
Most of Horner’s disciplinary issues were related to code of conduct violations, such as dress code violations.
Gary, a pastor, testified off-camera
Horner was a part of the church and was a kid like any other.
Horner was in the youth ministry; he was not disruptive but there were incidents that were out of the ordinary.
He became a different person when the VA changed his medicine; he became angry and agitated.
He had a bag with a sack of knives in it.
WATCH: Child Killer’s Former Pastor: Tanner Horner Was a ‘Loner Trying to Find His Place’
Ruby, Tanner Horner’s best friend, testified off-camera
Knew Horner since the fifth grade, hung out on the playground together and talked about Harry Potter.
Attended church together.
Described the defendant as energetic.
Dated briefly in high school, described him as sweet and endearing as a boyfriend.
Horner treated her well and was never violent towards her.
The two broke up because she wanted to date somebody else and he got mad.
Dr. Amy Fritz, Speech Language Pathologist
Evaluated Tanner Horner and met with him for two days while he was in jail.
Went over the testing she did with Horner.
WATCH: Child Killer’s Languge Turned ‘Horrific’ in Abduction Video, Expert Says
DAY 11 – 4/24/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 11 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Horner’s 5th-grade teacher testified
Wasn’t with her for a full year at school and she didn’t remember Horner’s home life or grades.
Horner struggled socially; students thought he was odd.
On one occasion, he had shampoo still in his hair.
Beth Weaver, speech language pathologist
Had contact with Horner in 2003 or 2004; he was part of an in-home facilitator program she was in.
Worked with him on coping behaviors.
Dr. Jeffrey David Lewine, neuroscientist
Discussed brain scans done on the defendant, which included an MRI and PET scan.
The scans showed no abnormalities according to the doctors who interpreted them.
Lewine identified abnormalities in the social cognition system that would not impair his ability to drive or read a map.
Dr. Erin David Bigler, clinical neuropsychologist
Gave an overview of different lobes and structures of the brain and how they work together to process information and generate behavior.
How MRI, PET and EEG analyze brain structure and function; explains how the methods offer a detailed understanding of the brain.
Discussed potential impacts of factors like toxic exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders on the brain.
DAY 10 – 4/23/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 10 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Horner’s father’s sister testified
Terry Horner (Tanner’s father) left home at 13 and started doing drugs.
Terry Horner spent most of his adult life in prison.
He molested her when she was younger and beat their mother and stole from her.
Tanner Horner’s cousin testified
Talked about babysitting Tanner, described him as different from other kids.
Tanner would frequently eat coins.
Dr. Aaron Specht, Metals exposure expert
Tanner Horner had significant lead exposure.
Dustin Weeks, licensed therapist
Provided services to both Melissa and Tanner Horner.
Mary, Retired school specialist
Evaluated Tanner when he was at school for autism.
Seemed like he was in a stable home.
Believed that he had sensory issues and had difficulty forming friendships.
He lacked empathy and had difficulty getting along with others.
DAY 9 – 4/22/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 9 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Dr. John Edens, Psychologist & professor of psychology
Tanner Horner’s mother testified.
She described her difficult upbringing; she was abused as a child by her stepfather, dropped out of school at a young age and was smoking and stripping by 14.
She struggled with alcohol and drug abuse throughout her son’s childhood.
Recalled an incident when Tanner discovered her unresponsive and believed she had died from an overdose.
Detailed a history of domestic abuse at the hands of the defendant’s father and noted his early behavioral struggles with other children that eventually led to an Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis.
Said she was angry at him for what happened to Athena.
WATCH: Child Killer’s Mom Details Her Troubled, Heartbreaking Childhood
Tanner Horner’s great-aunt testified.
Revealed more about the defendant’s late father’s tragic upbringing and struggles with homelessness, prison and drugs.
MORE: Athena Strand’s killer suffered difficult childhood, witnesses say
DAY 8 – 4/16/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 8 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Jacob Strand, Athena’s father
Testified to the Barbie dolls delivered by Horner that were intended for Athena’s Christmas gift.
Spent time with the kids before he left for a hunting trip with his father.
Felt like he wasn’t there to protect Athena and feels guilty.
Hopes the jury and justice system make the right decision.
WATCH: Father of Murdered Girl Feels Like He Didn’t Protect Her
Texas Ranger Job Espinoza was recalled to the stand.
Testified to video dash cam from Nov. 30, 2022. The video shows the defendant using sticky notes to cover up cameras in the van.
On Nov. 29 at 5:45, he was at the Huffman house.
At 4:09 p.m. on Nov. 30, he covered the front-facing camera. At 5:30 p.m., he arrived at Athena’s residence.
Some of Athena’s clothes went into a bag. He put her underwear and pants into his backpack, and they were later found at his home.
He was seen cleaning the van at a Love’s gas station.
On Dec. 1, Horner is seen driving to the area where Athena was found.
Horner received a call on the radio asking about a delivery he had the day before.
The audio capturing Athena’s final moments was played for the jury.
MORE: Killer sang ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ as Athena Strand screamed: Reports
WATCH: ‘I Have More Packages’: Killer Passed Searchers Looking for Missing Girl
Video showed Horner cleaning up the van after killing Athena.
The prosecution rested its case.
DAY 7 – 4/15/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 7 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Erica Renaga, Forensics scientist
Processed evidence in the case, analyzing DNA samples from both the victim and the defendant as well as evidentiary samples.
Amber Moss, DNA supervisor at Texas Dept. of Public Safety lab
Testified to the department’s DNA testing procedures in the case.
Completed additional testing, including Y-STR testing, which specifically targets male DNA.
Elizabeth Seastrunk, Forensic scientist
Did not conduct DNA analysis, but cut and prepared evidence samples so they could be processed by DNA analysts.
Ruby Kelly, Forensic DNA analyst
Performed DNA testing on multiple items using both autosomal STR testing and Y-STR testing.
James Becker, VP of product at tech company
Testified to how dash cameras and GPS tracking technology work in commercial vehicles.
Helped retrieve and analyze video in the defendant’s vehicle.
Kristen Cossota, DNA expert
Analyzed and interpreted DNA in the case, comparing evidence to known samples.
Initial testing on a vaginal swab showed a DNA mixture that weakly excluded the suspect, but the result wasn’t strong due to the victim’s DNA overpowering any male DNA present.
Additional male-specific Y-STR testing was done on multiple swabs to get clearer results. The defendant could not be excluded from those results.
Testing on Y-STR testing on vaginal, anal and oral swabs showed Horner could not be excluded as a contributor, meaning his DNA profile was consistent with the evidence, though not labeled a definitive “match.”
WATCH: DNA Fails to Rule Out Suspect in 7-Year-Old’s Case: Expert
Maitlyn Gandy, Victim’s mother
Delivered emotional testimony describing her daughter and losing her suddenly.
Images shown in court captured a joyful Athena before her death.
Athena was playful, happy and deeply loved.
WATCH: ‘I Felt Like I Was Dying’: Mother Recalls Learning About Missing Child
MORE: Mother of murdered 7-year-old Athena Strand has 1 question for her killer
WATCH: Emotional Child Killer Fights Back Tears During Victim’s Mom’s Testimony
DAY 6 – 4/14/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 6 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Scott Morris, Digital forensic examiner
Received and analyzed the defendant’s phone, including internet searches and activity tied to specific dates.
Horner searched for the case before his arrest.
Kevin Huffman, Received package delivered by Horner
Huffman received a package delivered by Horner on Nov. 29.
Video from inside the FedEx van showed Horner pulling up to the property, where Huffman’s two children, ages 7 and 10, were playing. Horner asked them if an adult was home and then spoke to Huffman when he came outside.
Sexual assault survivors
Two women testified to alleged sexual assault at the hands of Horner.
The first woman said she and Horner met through mutual friends; she said Horner sexually abused her after she said she didn’t want a relationship with him.
The second woman said she met Horner when she was 16 and he was 21. She said that he pursued a relationship with her, knowing she was underage, and told her to lie about her age to others. She alleged that in December 2014, after a night of drinking, she woke up to Horner raping her.
Jacqueline Ferrara, Forensics analyst (testified remotely)
Received and processed items like DNA swabs from both the defendant and the victim, as well as evidence from a sexual assault kit.
Male DNA was detected on the victim’s vaginal and anal swabs, while results from oral swabs were inconclusive.
Examined clothing items, some of which tested positive for blood and/or semen.
DAY 5 – 4/13/26
LIVESTREAM: TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner – Day 5 | Murder of Athena Strand Trial
Sgt. Brett Yarrow returned to the witness stand.
Yarrow testified to an incident where Horner tried to kill himself in the jail. When that happened, officers searched his cell and found handwritten letters, which were read to the jury.
WATCH: Girl’s Killer Writes Bombshell Note to Family
One letter was addressed to the Strand family and offered apologies and explanations for his behavior.
One letter was addressed to detectives and claimed another person was involved with Strand’s abduction.
There was a long hair collected from Horner’s underwear.
MORE: Tanner Horner confesses to Athena Strand’s murder in jail letters
David Rogers II, FBI
Coordinated and planned at the scene of the abduction site.
Found a bag and cell phone inside the FedEx van Horner was driving when he was arrested (not the abduction van).
Photos of the river show where Athena’s body was found; one photo shows her hand beneath the water.
Dr. Jessica Dwyer, Chief Medical Examiner
Performed the autopsy on Athena’s body.
Athena was naked and her hands were covered with brown bags; she had dirt and silt on her as well as vegetation.
Blood had collected beneath the skin of Athena’s upper chest and face, indicating something had happened in her head/neck area.
Athena’s head and face showed trauma; there were multiple blunt force injuries from her chest to the top of her head.
There was a zig-zag tread pattern visible on Athena’s face.
The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation.
There was no evidence of sexual trauma.
WATCH: Medical Examiner Details Signs of Trauma to Murdered Athena Strand
Joseph Thomas, Jail administrator
Confirmed copies of recordings of calls from the Wise Detention Center related to Tanner Horner.
Calls made Dec. 3, Dec. 14, Dec. 15, March 15, and April 23.
In the first call, to his mother, Horner said that he hit a girl with his truck and she cried and he freaked out and panicked because he thought he would lose his job.
In a second call, Horner talks about his attorneys and laughs on the phone. He comments, “I always wanted to be famous, but not like this.”
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