Athena Strand update: FedEx driver Tanner Horner arrested after 7-year-old found dead 6 miles from Paradise home

Authorities have said that the 31-year-old FedEx truck driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, who was held for abducting and murdering Athena Strand did not know the missing seven-year-old or her family.

Sheriff Lane Akin said at a press conference on Friday: “He was not related and did not know the family.”

The seven-year-old had gone missing from her home on Wednesday.

Wise County sheriff Lane Akin announced on Friday that a FedEx truck driver identified as Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of missing seven-year-old Athena Strand.

Horner has been held in jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Mr Akin said that at about the time that the child went missing on Wednesday, Horner dropped off a package at the home.

She was likely abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house.

She likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession.

Mr Akin said the suspect gave officials at least two false locations – including an area of CR 4599 that was taped off by police on Friday afternoon – before leading them to Athena’s body.

There has been no information on a motive yet.

Seven-year-old Athena Strand went missing since around 6pm on Wednesday evening.

She was last seen at her father’s home on County Road 3573 in Paradise, Texas, dressed in a grey long-sleeve shirt with white flowers, blue jeans with white flowers on the pockets and brown boots

.Athena reportedly left the home after an argument with her stepmother.

Police said the woman spent “about an hour” searching for the youngster before calling the sheriff’s office.

The child’s father was reportedly on a deer hunting trip in south Texas at the time of the disappearance.

On Friday evening, Wise County sheriff Lane Akin announced that a FedEx truck driver identified as Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of the missing child.

Mr Horner has been held in jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Mr Akin said that at about the time that the child went missing on Wednesday, the suspect dropped off a package at the home.

She was likely abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house.

She likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession.

The body of missing seven-year-old Athena Strand has been found in Wise county, Texas sheriff Lane Akin said at a press conference on Friday evening.

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Authorities said that seven-year-old Athena Strand’s family is “devastated” after her body was found on Friday.

Wise County sheriff Lane Akin said: “They’re angry because of what happened-a precious child taken from their lives.”

Authorities believe that the child was abducted from her driveway by and died within an hour based on digital evidence and statements gathered while interviewing Tanner Lynn Horner.

Horner, a FedEx truck driver is being held in Wise County jail.

Authorities have said that the 31-year-old FedEx truck driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, who was held for abducting and murdering Athena Strand did not know the missing seven-year-old or her family.

Sheriff Lane Akin said at a press conference on Friday: “He was not related and did not know the family.”

The seven-year-old had gone missing from her home on Wednesday.

Wise County sheriff Lane Akin announced on Friday that a FedEx truck driver identified as Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of missing seven-year-old Athena Strand.

Horner has been held in jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Mr Akin said that at about the time that the child went missing on Wednesday, Horner dropped off a package at the home.

She was likely abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house.

She likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession.

Mr Akin said the suspect gave officials at least two false locations – including an area of CR 4599 that was taped off by police on Friday afternoon – before leading them to Athena’s body.

There has been no information on a motive yet.

The body of Athena Strand, the seven-year-old girl from Texas who went missing two days ago has been found 6 miles away from her home, authorities said.

Wise County sheriff Lane Akin said that a FedEx truck driver abducted Athena and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession, reported CBS News.

The driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Mr Akin said that at about the time Athena went missing, Horner dropped off a package at the child’s home.She was probably abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house, he said.

ICYMI: At a press conference on Friday, authorities in Wise County, Texas, announced that the Athena Strand case was being transitioned from a search to an investigation.

Sheriff Lane Akin cautioned that foul play is not suspected at this time, but it is still in the realm of possibility.

Mr Akin said there is no evidence at this point to suggest that Athena was abducted, but that is also a possibility.

More than 300 volunteers have been assisting a large group of police officers in the search in the 48 hours since Athena vanished.

Dog teams, helicopters and thermal imaging are also being used.

Athena was last seen wearing a shirt, jeans with flowers on the pockets and brown boots.

On the whole, details about her disappearance remain sparse.