Tanner Horner Sentenced to Death by Lethal Injection for Murder of 7-Year-Old Athena Strand
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| Athena Strand; Tanner Lynn Horner. |
Tanner Lynn Horner, a former FedEx delivery driver, was sentenced to death by lethal injection on May 5, 2026, for the 2022 capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Wise County, Texas. A Tarrant County jury unanimously reached the decision after the punishment phase of the trial.
Horner pleaded guilty to both charges on April 7, 2026, just as his capital murder trial was set to begin. This shifted proceedings directly to the sentencing phase, where prosecutors sought the death penalty and the defense argued for life without parole.
According to case details, Horner abducted Athena while she played in her family's driveway during a delivery. He later led authorities to her body. The trial featured graphic evidence and emotional testimony detailing the circumstances of the crime.
Judge George Gallagher formally imposed the sentence, ordering that Horner be executed by lethal injection before sunrise on a date to be set after appellate review, at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville. Texas law authorizes lethal injection as the primary method of execution. Horner showed no visible emotion as the verdict was read.
The case drew significant attention due to the victim's young age and the brutality of the offense. Prosecutors described it as one of the most extreme cases warranting capital punishment. Defense arguments reportedly included references to Horner's background, including claims related to autism spectrum disorder and other factors, but these did not sway the jury.
This marks another high-profile application of the death penalty in Texas for a crime against a child. Appeals are expected, which could delay the execution for years. Athena Strand's family and the community have awaited justice since her disappearance in November 2022.
According to case details, Horner abducted Athena while she played in her family's driveway during a delivery. He later led authorities to her body. The trial featured graphic evidence and emotional testimony detailing the circumstances of the crime.
Judge George Gallagher formally imposed the sentence, ordering that Horner be executed by lethal injection before sunrise on a date to be set after appellate review, at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville. Texas law authorizes lethal injection as the primary method of execution. Horner showed no visible emotion as the verdict was read.
The case drew significant attention due to the victim's young age and the brutality of the offense. Prosecutors described it as one of the most extreme cases warranting capital punishment. Defense arguments reportedly included references to Horner's background, including claims related to autism spectrum disorder and other factors, but these did not sway the jury.
This marks another high-profile application of the death penalty in Texas for a crime against a child. Appeals are expected, which could delay the execution for years. Athena Strand's family and the community have awaited justice since her disappearance in November 2022.
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