House Bill 3556, sponsored by Texas Rep. Lynn Stucky, R-Sanger, would allow the head of local law enforcement to issue a localized alert when a child is missing without confirmation of an abduction. That is the high threshold requirement needed to issue an Amber Alert.

Dubbed an “Athena Alert”, the bill unanimously passed the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. It was named after Athena Strand, the 7-year-old girl who vanished from her Paradise home in Nov. 2022 and found dead two days later.

A Wise County grand jury charged Tanner Horner, a package delivery who delivered packages to Strand’s home the day she disappeared, with kidnapping and murder. According to police, Horner confessed that he accidentally hit the girl with his truck and panicked when she said she would tell her dad. Horner said he killed the girl with his bare hands and then dumped her body.

Strand’s mother Maitlyn Gandy testified before the Texas House committee this week and recalled asking for an Amber Alert to be issued as soon as she found out her daughter was missing.

“Unfortunately, I kept getting met with the same response that she, in her case, did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert to be issued,” Gandy said. “I don’t want someone to feel how I feel. I don’t want a mother to have to carry home an urn with her children’s ashes. I don’t want to watch another grandparent mourn the way my dad did.”

The legislation, if passed, would allow law enforcement to activate an alert in a localized area within a 100-mile radius and neighboring counties shortly after a child goes missing. Benson Varghese, Gandy’s attorney, also testified in Austin this week.

Issuing the ‘Athena alert’ would be up to the discretion of law enforcement officials, Varghese said.

“There’s a reason the threshold is so high for an Amber Alert. It’s because it is a statewide notification that could even go to multiple states,” he said. “Now having this tool that allows law enforcement to get the word out would be really helpful, particularly in rural areas. In an urban environment, you’ve got lots of media coverage but the farther out you, the less coverage you might have. Less systems you’ll have in place to get a word out like this.”

With the bill passing the committee without objection, supporters of the bill are hoping it will be fast-tracked for a House vote.

Tanner Horner, 31, last December, told police he accidentally hit 7-year-old Athena Strand with his delivery truck on Nov. 30 and that he killed the girl with his bare hands after he got scared when she said she was going to tell her father about the minor accident.

Horner, police said, then told investigators where to find the missing girl’s body two days after she disappeared. He was indicted on a capital murder charge last month.

Benson Varghese, an attorney representing Strand’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, spoke outside of the courthouse after the hearing Monday morning and said Horner’s attorneys waived arraignment and entered the plea of not guilty on their client’s behalf.

Horner, Varghese said, said nothing at the hearing.

Gandy was in the Wise County Court Center courtroom for the arraignment hearing. It was the first time she’d been in the same room with the man accused of killing her daughter.

“It was probably one of the most difficult moments of her life, to see the person who killed her daughter. It’s a moment she’s thought about for a long time. I suppose it’s surreal in some senses but it was of just grave importance for her to be there.”

ATHENA STRAND

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Gandy was joined in the courtroom by about 20 members of law enforcement, about half of whom had been involved in the search for the missing girl and the investigation into her death.

“This morning, something that was unusual is that the courtroom was full of law enforcement officials. We had the constable we had the sheriff, we had rangers, there were at least 20 individuals from various law enforcement agencies in the courtroom,” Varghese said. “It means a lot to her [Maitlyn Gandy] and a number of the individuals who were involved in the investigation came up and gave her hugs and greeted her warmly … and just showed up for her and that was powerful.”

Last month Gandy joined a civil lawsuit filed by her ex-husband, Athena’s father, against Horner, FedEx Ground and Big Topspin, the contracted delivery service that hired Horner to deliver packages. The family is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The civil lawsuit, Varghese said, gives them additional abilities to investigate the circumstances around the girl’s death including who was responsible as well as all of the decision-makers who could have prevented the girl’s death from happening.

Prosecutors announced last month they plan to seek the death penalty in the capital murder case.

Horner, it was later learned, on the day of the murder delivered a six-pack of “You Can Be Anything” Barbie dolls that were meant to be a Christmas present for Athena. In January, Mattel donated 2,000 Barbies and other toys to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth in Athena’s honor.

Horner remains in the Wise County Jail on six bonds totaling $1,560,000. Horner is also being held on four charges of sexual assault of a child dating back to 2013 unrelated to the Strand case.

No other court dates have been set in the case.

Strand, a first grader from Paradise, Texas, was reported missing on Nov. 30, 2022. Her body was found two days later, only after detectives identified Horner as a suspect and after he confessed that he accidentally hit the girl with his FedEx delivery truck.

Horner told police he panicked when she said she was going to tell her dad about the collision and that he killed the girl with his bare hands. Horner eventually told police where he left the girl’s body.

Last week a Wise County grand jury indicted Horner on two counts of aggravated kidnapping and of capital murder of a person under 10.

A capital murder charge in Texas is punishable by either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. On Friday, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty and sent a copy of that document to Horner’s attorney, Bill Ray.

Horner is also named in a civil lawsuit filed by the girl’s parents that alleges that FedEx Ground and Big TopSpin were negligent in investigating his background during the hiring process as well as in training and supervising him after he’d been hired. The girl’s family is seeking at least $1 million in damages.

Horner, it was later learned, on the day of the murder delivered a six-pack of “You Can Be Anything” Barbie dolls that were meant to be a Christmas present for Athena.

Horner remains in the Wise County Jail on six bonds totaling $1,560,000. He is also being held on four charges of sexual assault of a child dating back to 2013 that are unrelated to the Strand case.

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Maitlyn Gandy, the mother of Athena Strand, was named as an intervening plaintiff in Jacob Strand’s civil lawsuit against the girl’s accused killer, Tanner Horner, his employer Big TopSpin and FedEx Ground.

Athena Strand, a first grader from Paradise, Texas, was reported missing on Nov. 30, 2022, and her body was found two days later after the arrest of Horner, a 31-year-old who delivered FedEx packages to the girl’s home on the day she disappeared.

According to police, Horner confessed that he accidentally hit the girl with his FedEx delivery truck and panicked when she said she would tell her dad. Horner admitted to killing the girl with his bare hands and then dumping her body. He was indicted by a Wise County grand jury last week on two charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under 10.

“This lawsuit is about affecting change at FedEx, in their hiring, training, and supervising of employees and contractors. This lawsuit is about affecting change in the practices of FedEx subcontractors, like Big TopSpin so that these tragic, life-altering and life-ending acts are not repeated,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit filed by the girl’s parents alleges that FedEx Ground and Big TopSpin were negligent in hiring Horner, investigating his background, training him and supervising him.

ATHENA STRAND

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The lawsuit also argued that FedEx delivery drivers have recently committed numerous assaults, rapes and murders across the country, showing a trend of irresponsibility at the company. One example includes a 2022 case in New York where a driver murdered a woman and burned her house to the ground.

In December 2022, the company responded to Jacob Strand’s initial filing with the following statement to NBC 5.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Athena Strand in the wake of this tragedy. We are aware of the complaint filed against FedEx Ground,” the company said.

A new statement from FedEx has not been received by NBC 5.

If convicted on the capital murder charge, Horner faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Police have told prosecutors they want them to seek the death penalty in this case.

Horner remains in the Wise County Jail on six bonds totaling $1,560,000. Horner is also being held on four charges of sexual assault of a child dating back to 2013 unrelated to the Strand case.

STRAND and GANDY vs HORNER, BIG TOPSPIN, FEDEX GROUND

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The first grader from Paradise, Texas was reported missing on Nov. 30, 2022, and her body was found two days later after the arrest of Tanner Horner, a 31-year-old Fed-Ex delivery driver who delivered packages to the girl’s home on the day she disappeared.

According to police, Horner confessed that he accidentally hit the girl with his truck and panicked when she said she would tell her dad. Horner said he killed the girl with his bare hands and then dumped her body.

Horner was indicted Thursday on two charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under 10.

Shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday, Strand’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, of Oklahoma, released the following statement about the indictment.

“I would like to thank the Wise County grand jury for their role in this process. Hearing the facts and circumstances of my 7-year-old daughter’s kidnapping and murder was undoubtedly very difficult for them. I want them to know that their work is deeply appreciated. Tanner Horner’s indictment is the beginning of a long road through the justice system. I appreciate everyone’s continued support and for keeping Athena’s name and memory alive. Please take a moment to hug your children and loved ones. No one is promised another day.”

Horner was delivering a package containing a “You Can Be Anything” Barbie doll to Strand’s father’s home when she was hit. After hearing of the tragedy, Mattel reached out to the Strand family and made a donation of 2,000 Barbie dolls to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth in Athena’s honor. Strand was once hospitalized for three days at the children’s hospital. During her time there, she was given a pink stuffed “prayer bear” that quickly became her favorite. The bear was in Athena’s coffin during her funeral service.

If convicted on the capital murder charge, Horner faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Police have told prosecutors they want them to seek the death penalty in this case.

Horner remains in the Wise County Jail on six bonds totaling $1,560,000. Horner is also being held on four charges of sexual assault of a child dating back to 2013 unrelated to the Strand case.

Athena Strand Jan 30

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Strand, who was killed last November, was once a patient at Cook Children’s and was hospitalized for three days. During her time there, she was given a pink stuffed “prayer bear” that quickly became her favorite. The bear was in Athena’s coffin during her funeral service last month, according to the press release.

The Fed-Ex delivery driver charged in her death was delivering a package of a “You Can Be Anything” Barbie doll to Strand’s father’s home. After hearing of the tragedy, Mattel reached out to the Strand family and wanted to make a donation in honor of Athena, according to the press release.

ATHENA STRAND

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When asked where she wanted to make the donations, Strand’s mom, Maitlyn Gandy immediately suggested Cook Children’s Medical Center, Gandy’s legal team said.

Last Thursday, Gandy helped set up barbies and toys for a “You Can Be Anything” event organized by the hospital. Young patients were then able to select a toy, have a snack and complete crafts.

“This was a special event in memory of my daughter,” Gandy said. “I’m grateful for everyone who helped make it happen.”

Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, has been held in the county jail on charges of alleged capital murder of a person under 10 and aggravated kidnapping since his arrest on Dec. 2.

Online records from the Wise County Jail show Horner is now also facing three counts of sexual assault of a child under 17 with bonds of $15,000 each. Horner remains in the Wise County Jail held on bonds now totaling $1,545,000.

The new charges of sexual assault of a child, which were filed on Wednesday, were alleged to have taken place nine years ago. According to information obtained by NBC 5, the alleged assaults all took place in 2013 on June 1, Aug. 11 and Dec. 6. Further details about the charges have not yet been confirmed including whether the allegations come from one victim or multiple victims.

After his arrest earlier this month, Horner told investigators he hit Strand with his truck after making a delivery at her home but that she wasn’t seriously injured. He said he panicked and strangled her after she said she was going to tell her father about the accident. Horner later told investigators where they could find the girl’s body.

NBC 5 has reached out to the Tarrant County District Attorney and about the latest charges and is awaiting a response. It’s not immediately clear if Horner has obtained an attorney.

NBC 5’s Don Peritz and Cynthia Garcia contributed to this report.

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According to police, the girl was killed in front of her home by a FedEx driver, 31-year-old Tanner Horner.

Jacob Strand filed the lawsuit Tuesday and argues that FedEx holds “significant control” over employees and contractors who deliver packages. The lawsuit also states that FedEx and Big Topspin, the contractor who hired Horner, were negligent and failed to properly supervise and investigate Horner’s past.

Additionally, the lawsuit argues that FedEx delivery drivers have recently committed numerous assaults, rapes and murders across the country, showing a trend of irresponsibility at the company. One example includes a 2022 case in New York where a driver murdered a woman and burned her house to the ground.

ATHENA STRAND

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“FedEx has continued their normal business operations although it is clear that their current efforts, if any, to ensure, that they are not putting dangerous persons in a position of trust wearing FedEx uniforms, driving FedEx branded vehicles and sending them to the doorsteps of the homes of nearly every person in America is woefully inadequate to avoid endangering the public,” the lawsuit stated in part. 

FedEx previously released a statement saying their thoughts are with the family, and the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

“Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities,” the company said. “At this time, any further questions should be directed to law enforcement.”

The company responded to Strand’s lawsuit in a statement to NBC 5.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Athena Strand in the wake of this tragedy. We are aware of the complaint filed against FedEx Ground,” the company said.

Authorities early on learned that Horner was the delivery driver that had been to the Strand home at about the time Athena disappeared. Working with FedEx, officials located him and was taken into custody where he confessed to abducting and killing the 7-year-old, authorities said.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by NBC 5, Tanner Lynn Horner confessed to the crime and told police he accidentally hit 7-year-old Strand while backing up in his marked delivery truck but that young girl was not seriously injured.

He told investigators he panicked and put the girl into his van and that she was talking to him and told him her name was Athena.

During the interview with detectives, Horner told police where he put her body where she was found two days after her disappearance. A funeral was held for her on Dec. 9.

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The body of 7-year-old Athena Strand was found Friday, Dec. 2, two days after she vanished from her family’s home in Paradise. Authorities say Tanner Horner, 31, confessed to killing the girl.

According to an arrest warrant, FedEx delivered a package to Strand’s home around the time the 7-year-old went missing. Investigators later learned the company Big Topspin was the contracting company delivering packages for FedEx.

Employees from Big Topspin worked with investigators to determine which van and driver made the delivery, later identifying Horner. The van he was driving was equipped with video capability, which is run by a third party, Velociter.

Velociter provided video from the delivery truck, which included one-minute clips.

The arrest warrant states an FBI employee reviewed the footage, which shows Horner “had taken a young girl who was visually similar to Athena in his van.” He was seen on video talking to her in the van, authorities said.

The arrest warrant also states Horner told investigators he “accidentally hit Athena with the truck” when he was backing up. According to Horner’s statement to investigators, she was not seriously injured but he panicked and put her in the van.

“The Defendant stated Athena was alive at the time, talking to him, and told him her name was Athena. The Defendant stated he attempted to break Athena’s neck to kill her,” the arrest warrant reads.

Horner told investigators, his attempt to break the girl’s neck failed. He strangled her with “his bare hands in the back of the FedEx van” because Strand was going to tell her father about being hit by the FedEx truck, the arrest warrant states.

Horner faces a capital murder charge.

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The FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and killing a 7-year-old girl says he strangled her after he accidentally backed into her with his truck.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by NBC 5, Tanner Lynn Horner confessed to the crime and told police he accidentally hit 7-year-old Athena Strand while backing up in his marked delivery truck but that young girl was not seriously injured.

He told investigators he panicked and put the girl into his van and that she was talking to him and told him her name was Athena.

When the child said she was going to tell her father about being hit by the truck he said he tried to break her neck. When that didn’t work, Horner told police he strangled the girl with his bare hands.

During the interview with detectives, Horner told police where he put her body.

According to the affidavit, FBI agents investigating the girl’s disappearance learned of a package delivery that had been made to the family’s home at about the time the girl was believed to have disappeared. They worked with FedEx to identify the contracting company, Big Topspin, whose driver made the delivery.

Investigators confirmed which van made the delivery and learned that it was equipped with video cameras recorded by a third-party vendor, Velocitor. That company provided investigators with the video that showed a driver taking a girl who looked like Athena into his van. The driver was also seen talking with the girl inside the van.

No further description of what was recorded inside the van was described in the affidavit.

After viewing the video, the driver was identified by authorities and interviewed before being arrested and charged.

Horner is currently being held on charges of kidnapping and capital murder of a person under the age of 10. He is being held in the Wise County Jail on bonds totaling $1.5 million. It’s not clear if Horner has obtained an attorney.

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On Thursday morning, Maitlyn Gandy, Athena’s mother, showed the package that was delivered to the girl’s father’s home on Nov. 30.

It was a Christmas present for the 7-year-old, a box of “You Can Be Anything” Barbie dolls that her mother said she’ll never get to open.

“Athena was robbed of the opportunity to grow up to be anything she wanted. And this present ordered out of innocence and love is one she will never receive,” Gandy said. “I was robbed of watching her grow up by a man that everyone was supposed to be able to trust to do one simple task: deliver Christmas packages and leave.”

A private funeral for Athena Strand will be held on Friday. She will be cremated and her mother said her remains will be taken with her back to Oklahoma.

Strand was taken from in front of her home and killed on Nov. 30. Investigators said a FedEx driver who delivered a package to the girl’s home has confessed to the crime.

Maitlyn Gandy, accompanied by her attorney, Benson Varghese, read the following statement:

“Good morning, thank you all for being here. My name is Maitlyn Gandy and I’m the mommy of Athena Presley Monroe Strand. On Nov. 30, a FedEx delivery man drove onto Athena’s father’s property to deliver a package of what was supposed to be a Christmas present for our daughter. This is the package. A package containing “You Can Be Anything” Barbies. Athena was robbed of the opportunity to grow up to be anything she wanted. And this present, ordered out of innocence and love, is one she will never receive. Athena’s favorite holiday was Christmas, as it is for many children everywhere. The joy Athena gave her family and the joy she felt on Christmas, is something we will never feel with her again. That delivery driver admitted to kidnapping and killing my innocent, free-spirited 7-year-old daughter on Friday, Dec. 2. At the time of Athena’s abduction, she was staying with her stepmother and father in Paradise, texas, doing what kids do: playing within the bounds of her father’s property on the same land he grew up and played on. The same land that for 20 or more years, he, his siblings and all of their friends had been safe. I was supposed to bring Athena back to our home in Oklahoma after Christmas break. Now, instead, Athena will be cremated and come home in an urn because I am not even close to being ready to let her go. I will never see her bright blue eyes or her ornery smile again. I will never be able to hear her say, “I love you, mommy.” I will never be able to do her hair again or hold her while she sleeps. I was robbed of watching her grow up by a man that everyone was supposed to be able to trust to do one simple task: deliver Christmas packages and leave. Tomorrow will be the last time I will see my baby. After tomorrow, when the silence sets in, Athena’s family, including her three young sisters, will start the journey of all the “firsts” without her. Her little sister’s 3rd birthday. Then my 27th birthday. Our Christmas Eve tradition. The first time in seven years of not hearing and seeing the excitement of Athena opening gifts from Santa and Sissy. I ask everyone to hold your littles just a little tighter for me. I want to take a moment to thank the community for the outpouring of love and support. From the moment she went missing, this community flew into action and they have not stopped. I have felt your prayers, read your messages and letters, and I see your pink. Everywhere. There are no words to express how thankful I am for the first responders, law enforcement and responding agencies, volunteers, churches, businesses and all the others I have failed to list. I am also grateful to the media for helping keep Athena’s story alive. I want everyone to know Athena. She was an amazing little girl who loved dancing, singing and all animals — dogs, cats, horses, lizards, chinchillas. She also loved school and all her friends in the first grade, who are now also struggling with her senseless murder. Athena also loved flowers, but she was also not afraid to get down in the mud with the boys. She was her father’s daughter. I know that Athena’s death will not be in vain. I will spend the rest of my life fighting for her so that no other family will endure such unbearable pain and grief. A monster attempted to take Athena’s voice. We are her voice. Screening and hiring policies must be put into place so that monsters wearing delivery uniforms don’t show up on our children’s doorsteps. Please help me keep Athena’s light shining.” — Maitlyn Gandy

After Gandy delivered her remarks, Varghese said the short-term goals are to help the family so that they can mourn, but that long-term goals included identifying who was accountable for her death.

“Our short-term efforts are focused on Athena’s family; taking as much as we can off their plates so they can mourn her loss,” said Varghese, managing partner of Varghese Summersett. “Our long-term goals are to thoroughly investigate how and why this happened and to hold any person or corporation accountable whose actions or inactions could have prevented this little girl’s tragic death. Corporations like FedEx are welcome at our homes to bring packages to our doorsteps, not danger. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to get answers for Athena.”

A number of vigils have been held this week around North Texas for Athena Strand as communities step forward to show their support for the grieving family.

A private funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 9. A GoFundMe has been established for the family here.

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The Wise County Sheriff’s Office said the 7-year-old girl was kidnapped and killed. The suspect at the center of the investigation is a North Texas man who authorities said was a contractor for FedEx.

“We don’t work a lot of criminal investigations that involve children that young, so it touches our heart, it hurts us to the very core, which motivates us to get the job done right so that we give a good package over to the district attorney’s office,” said Lane Akin, the Sheriff for Wise County.

He said Athena had walked outside of her home in Paradise, Texas Wednesday evening.

“We believe Athena had just walked away, which she had done before, but she always came back. Unfortunately in this situation and this time, she didn’t come back. Unfortunately, she’ll never come back, and it just it just hurts us, it’s something that we will carry with us in our careers for years and years to come,” said Akin.

The 7-year-old’s stepmother told law enforcement that Athena went missing around the same time they received a delivery from FedEx, and Akin said that information helped investigators.

The sheriff said the cooperation between his deputies, investigators, Texas Rangers and the FBI helped find the suspect accused of killing the young girl.

“The digital evidence that came to light and then it was just good police work,” said Akin about finding the suspect.

He said that evidence helped them locate the truck.

Tanner Horner, 31, was pulled over in the southern part of Wise County for a traffic stop according to Akin. He said the suspect was in a FedEx truck.

“We took him into custody and then the investigators went about the business of conducting interviews and we ended up with a confession,” explained Akin who said he could not talk about what was specifically said.

The sheriff said during the confession, the suspect led authorities to the child’s body at the water bank of the Trinity River.

“This was a tough one and I still haven’t gotten the images and the thoughts and the sadness out of it, out of my mind,” said Akin who has been in law enforcement for more than 40 years.

He said investigators have been troubled by what they’ve seen and learned in the course of the investigation. Akin said there is counseling available for everyone who is working on this case.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re all on the same track, that we’re trying to have some level of mental wellness for our entire team. I’m concerned more about the young ones, more so than those [older] like me, because we’ve been dealing with this for so long. With some of the younger officers, they might have not been in this situation before, so we want to make sure that they’re cared for and that they know even more so, that we care,” said Akin.

While the main part of the case has been solved, the sheriff said there is still more work to do before they hand everything over to the district attorney.

“We want to make sure that this is done properly so that the person who did this evil deed on a 7-year-old, receives the punishment he deserves,” said Akin

Horner remains in the Wise County Jail on a $1.5 million bond. Akin said Horner is in his own cell. He’s been charged with aggravated kidnapping and capital murder, which means he could face the death penalty.

The sheriff said the affidavit, which usually has preliminary information into a crime and arrest, is currently sealed by a judge for now.

The vigil, at First Baptist Church of Cottondale, was not far from where authorities say Athena was abducted and then killed by a FedEx delivery driver.

Athena’s mother Maitlyn Gandy spoke publicly for the first time since her daughter’s death.

“I just want to keep her face and her story alive because I want everyone to know Athena, for Athena, and not for what someone tried to make her out to be because she’s the best little girl, she really was,” said Gandy.

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Who Athena was, she said, was a bubbly girly-girl who loved animals and the color pink

At the vigil, Athena’s first-grade teacher Lindsey Thompson said she’ll never forget Athena’s smile, voice laugh and sense of style.

“I now have 18 of my favorite 6 and 7-year-olds that are sad and hurting because they no longer have a friend and classmate,” said Thompson.

The pastor at First Baptist Church of Cottondale announced more than 900 candles were given out before the vigil and that the line of cars waiting to arrive was backed up for miles.

A member of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office and several local pastors spoke also spoke at the vigil.

One pastor said a question he’s received frequently is “’Why didn’t God save Athena?’ My answer is he did.”

Gandy thanked the volunteers who searched for her daughter and the first responders who helped bring her family closure.

She had one request for those touched by Athena’s story. “I don’t care if it’s five years from now, 10 years from now, remember Athena Strand,” said Gandy.

The vigil comes as details from the investigation have emerged slowly.

NBC 5 has learned a Wise County judge sealed the arrest affidavit and court documents related to the arrest of Tanner Horner to give the family and the community time to process Strand’s death.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin announced Horner’s arrest Friday and said the contracted delivery driver confessed to kidnapping and killing Strand. Horner is being held on a $1.5 million bond.

Outside the First Baptist Church of Cottondale on Tuesday, organizers prepared for a candlelight vigil to celebrate Strand’s life.

“My heart breaks every time I think of it,” said resident Cindy Hughs, who stopped to view a growing memorial outside the church. “We feel attached to her now.”

In the days since this community learned a delivery driver is accused of kidnapping and killing the 7-year-old, many have leaned on their faith and turned to Pastor Charles Pugh.

Many parents have called him and asked to pray with them.

“There’s just a lot of dads and moms that knew the girl and realized it just as easily could have been there [child],” said Pugh. “Nobody did anything wrong. That’s what all the kids do out here. Play out in the yard. And everybody realizes it could have been their kid.”

Sheriff Akin said his investigators are still tying up a few loose ends, but have turned over their findings to the Wise County District Attorney’s Office. Part of the investigation focused on Horner’s background, but the sheriff said he had no prior criminal record, no connection to the family and his only tie to Wise County was that it was part of his regular delivery route.

A contracted delivery driver for FedEx, Akin said Horner was driving a marked truck equipped with GPS the night of Athena’s disappearance.

A married father of a one-year-old child, Horner shared in his own posts on social media previous jobs as an HVAC repairman and a ride-share driver.

A 2009 graduate of Azle High School, Horner also played in a band performing around Fort Worth.

“We can’t get our mind around that someone could be evil enough to do something like that. You know it exists you’ve heard about it you’ve seen it on television but it’s just been surreal,” said Pugh.

Pugh said his focus remains on celebrating Athena Strand and showering her family with love.

“In the midst of their sorrow they have just been so thankful to us and the community and just expressed love back to us and I can’t imagine doing that with what they’re going through,” Pugh said.

Two candlelight vigils were held Tuesday evening in memory of Athena Strand.

Another vigil was held Tuesday evening at Cafe Republic at 8640 North Beach Street in Fort Worth.

Pink ribbons and balloons are tied to front porches and shops.

“It is so hard for our small-knit community for us to wrap our minds around what’s happened to little Athena and her family,” said business owner Sandy Lambert.

Athena Strand, 7, was found murdered last week after an Amber Alert. The Wise County Sheriff said a delivery driver confessed to kidnapping and killing the child.

“When you live in a little town like this you don’t think that this could ever happen here and it’s happened here and it’s changed the way we’re going to live life moving forward,” Lambert said.

Across Wise County on Monday people responded in big and small ways.

Staff and students at several districts dressed in Athena’s favorite color.

Bikers from across North Texas took a ride in her honor to raise money for the family.

Dressed in pink shirts or bandanas they traveled from Argyle to the elementary school she attended in Paradise.

“I did it for Athena to show respect to her,” said Francis Chamberlin who organized the ride.

Megan Muska, a mother of two, came to ride and show her support.

“We’re all family, really. We really are,” said Muska. “It doesn’t matter who you are if somebody is in trouble you need to take care of them.”

In postings on social media, Athena’s family said they are grateful for the support and the many vigils happening in her honor.

“Let the light she brought into this world continue to grow brighter in her name,” Athen’s mother, Maitlyn Presley Gandy, wrote on Facebook.

A church that was once the staging area for search efforts is now a place of hope and healing as they process the tragedy.

A memorial is growing outside the First Baptist Church of Cottondale not far from where the little girl went missing. It’s the first Sunday service since the news of her death and the community is grappling with how to move forward.

It’s not a Sunday like most others. More than ever, the congregation clings to their faith and hope for better days ahead. Senior Pastor Charles Pugh has a young granddaughter who reminds him of Athena Strand and the moments her family will miss.

“She comes crawling up my lap, she called me Pappy. She said ‘I love you, Pappy.’ And I just thought about Athena. It made me start crying. It made me hug her for a good while,” said Pugh.

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Pugh said he always felt like their tight-knit community was insulated. That sense of safety had now been violated. He said other parents are worried for their children.

“Even though we’ve got several acres and there’s a driveway and fences and gates, ‘I’m going to reconsider letting my kids play outside without somebody older watching,’” Pugh recalls some parents saying recently.

Associate Pastor Phil Erickson’s son attended school with Athena and shared a classroom with her.

“I told him now he’s going to go back to school and a lot of his classmates are going to be sad and they’re not going to know how to feel,” said Erickson. “And I said you just be a friend like Athena was a friend to you. You be a friend to them.”

During the search, the Church was a staging area for law enforcement and family. Members said their faith and the strength of the community will carry them forward.

Nancy Wheeler lives not far from where Athena went missing. She said Sunday’s message reminded her of something a friend told her during her own time of grief.

“Just breathe and do the next right thing. It’s one day at a time,” she said.

A candlelight vigil will be held at the church Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in honor of Athena. The public is invited to attend.

The First Baptist Church of Cottondale is also collecting donations for the family, both through a drop-box in the foyer of the church and an online donation form. Click here for more details or call 940-433-5539.

On Monday evening, Wise County Judge J.D. Clark is hosting a prayer for Athena and her family. The public is invited to attend and wear pink, Athena’s favorite color.

School districts across North Texas, including HEB ISD, Lake Worth and Decatur ISD — in addition to Paradise ISD where Athena attended first grade — are doing #PinkOut4Athena by wearing pink all day on Monday.

Athena Strand vanished from her home in Paradise in Wise County Wednesday, prompting a large search with around 200 volunteers from the community.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said during a press conference Friday night that Horner confessed to killing the 7-year-old girl.

Who is Tanner Horner?

Horner is an independent contractor who was working with FedEx. Authorities say they learned early on that the FedEx delivery driver had been to the Strand’s home at about the time Athena disappeared and worked with FedEx to identify and locate him.

He was taken into custody where he confessed to abducting and killing the 7-year-old girl, according to authorities. He then directed officers to her body.

After first giving police a false lead on where to find her body, Athena’s body was found southeast of Boyd, about 10 miles from where she was reported missing.

FBI Agent Jim Dwyer said authorities believe Strand died about an hour after being abducted and has digital evidence and statements.

According to police, Horner is from Lake Worth and does not appear to have any previous criminal history, although the Lake Worth Police Chief J.T Manoushagian tweeted Friday night that Horner does not reside in the city.

FedEx released a statement saying their thoughts are with the family, and the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

“Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities. At this time, any further questions should be directed to law enforcement.”

Horner is currently being held in jail in lieu of a $1.5 million bond. Information on whether or not he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf was not made available.

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A delivery driver is in custody, accused of abducting and killing a 7-year-old girl who was reported missing on Wednesday and whose body was found Friday night about 10 miles from her home.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said during a press conference at about 10:15 p.m. Friday that authorities arrested 31-year-old Tanner Horner, of Lake Worth, a FedEx contract driver who delivered a package to 7-year-old Athena Strand’s home on Wednesday afternoon.

Akin said Friday night that Horner confessed to killing the girl and that unspecified digital evidence and interviews indicated the child was killed within an hour of her abduction.

Akin said Horner is charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping and is being held behind bars on bonds totaling $1.5 million.

It’s not clear if Horner has obtained an attorney.

AMBER ALERT ISSUED FOR WISE COUNTY GIRL

An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday for Strand, who was reported missing after she left her home in rural Wise County.

Akin said the girl’s stepmother reported the girl missing at 5:40 p.m. after the girl disappeared from her room. The stepmother searched for about an hour before contacting the sheriff’s office for help.

Akin said helicopters with thermal imaging were used Wednesday night but showed no sign or presence of a child.

Hundreds of law enforcement and volunteers spent Thursday and Friday canvassing homes, hillsides and rugged terrain for any sign of the first grader, who relatives said was afraid of the dark and wouldn’t have wandered off alone.

Akin said Friday night that they learned early on about a FedEx delivery that had been to the Strand’s home at about the time Athena disappeared. Akin said that “thanks to good work by investigators” they believed the driver had taken Athena and worked with FedEx to identify and locate him.

Horner was taken into custody and confessed to abducting and killing the girl. He then directed officers to her body.

A large police presence was seen Friday night on County Road 4599, about seven miles from the Strand’s home. Akin said Friday evening it was a false lead and that Horner led investigators to two separate locations before Athena’s body was found southeast of Boyd, about 10 miles from where she was reported missing.

Akin declined to share details about Horner’s confession, digital evidence, or what was found when investigators searched his home, citing the ongoing investigation. Investigators did confirm, however, that Horner was not known to the family. Akin also said that investigators believe the girl died within an hour or so after her abduction.

“We’re just sad it didn’t end the way that we hoped that it would end,” Akin said. “It’s one of the toughest investigations that I’ve been involved in because it’s a child, and anytime there’s a child dies, it hits you in your heart.”

The FBI, Texas Rangers and the Wise County Sheriff’s Department are among the agencies who helped bring the case to a conclusion roughly 48 hours after the child was reported missing by her stepmom.

SEARCH FOR ATHENA STRAND

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