FedEx Driver Planned Her Abduction and Murder | Athena Strand

During the trial, jurors heard an audio recording from inside Tanner Horner's delivery truck, captured after he covered the camera. The recording included Athena asking, 'Are you a kidnapper?' and crying for her mother, moments before her murder. This audio deeply affected jurors and highlighted the conscious nature of Horner's actions.

Audio recording from inside Tanner Hero's delivery truck, played for jurors, included Athena asking, 'Are you a kidnapper?' and crying for her mom, 'My mom says you can't do that to me.'

Tanner Lynn Horner's identity release led to public accusations of a prior sexual assault by a woman named Shea Marie, who claimed Horner assaulted her when she was 16 and he was 23. Screenshots of messages revealed that Horner's now-fiancée was aware of these allegations years before Athena's murder, raising questions about accountability and ignored warning signs.

Shea Marie's Facebook posts from November 11th, 2019, and 2022, accusing Tanner Horner of assaulting her at 16. Screenshots of messages from May 13th, 2016, where Horner's fiancée asked Shea Marie about the incident, confirming her awareness.

Horner initially told investigators he accidentally backed into Athena and panicked, leading him to abduct her. However, a later confession, made after officers disproved his first story, revealed he 'wanted to see what it was like' to commit such an act, suggesting a sexually motivated and premeditated crime, not an accident.

Horner's initial statement to detectives about accidentally hitting Athena and panicking. The affidavit for aggravated kidnapping stating Horner abducted Athena 'with the intent to facilitate the commission of a felony, namely capital murder,' and 'with the intent to prevent her liberation by secreting or holding her in a place where she was not likely to be found.'

Horner's defense aimed to spare him the death penalty by detailing his challenging childhood, including his mother's heavy substance use during pregnancy and his diagnosis of Asperger's. A neuroscientist presented a brain scan showing a 20% smaller-than-average area linked to emotional regulation and social behavior, suggesting impaired impulse control.

Tanner's mother's testimony about heavy drinking and drug use during pregnancy and Tanner's diagnosis with Asperger's. A neuroscientist's testimony showing a brain scan of Tanner with a 20% smaller area connected to emotional regulation and social behavior.