FedEx Driver Claimed Athena Strand Saw Him ‘Snorting Cocaine’ Before Killing, Psychiatrist Testifies

Jurors are currently deliberating the fate of FedEx driver Tanner Lynn Horner, who has admitted to the aggravated kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand. The court is now tasked with deciding whether Horner should face the death penalty or be sentenced to life imprisonment.

During the proceedings, Dr. Eileen Ryan, a forensic psychiatrist, provided crucial testimony regarding Horner’s state of mind. She revealed that he claimed to have abducted Athena after she witnessed him using cocaine. According to Dr. Ryan, Horner expressed deep anxiety about the potential consequences of the child reporting his drug use, leading him to believe he had no choice but to act against her. She described his thought process as drastically disproportionate, stating that it represented “a jump from Point A to Point Z” that lacked any reasonable basis.

In her testimony, Dr. Ryan elaborated on Horner’s fears surrounding his job security and his son’s wellbeing, which she indicated contributed to his anxiety-driven actions. Although he initially denied any wrongdoing, he eventually confessed to his involvement in the incident, exhibiting significant shame during the discussion. Dr. Ryan noted that his demeanour while recounting these events was strikingly similar to when he spoke about his own traumatic experiences as a child.

Another expert witness, Dr. Amy Fritz, contributed to the defence by discussing Horner’s reasoning capabilities. She remarked that his explanation for abducting Athena reflected what she described as a “weak theory of mind,” indicating a notable disconnect with how others might perceive a situation. Dr. Fritz pointed out the absurdity of the reasoning that would lead to the abduction of a child based on the assumption that she could report his drug use, particularly given that a young child may not even recognise illicit drug use or understand the legal consequences.

This rationalisation contrasts sharply with earlier accounts Horner provided to law enforcement. Initially, he reported that he had inadvertently struck Athena with his delivery vehicle and subsequently became frightened and panicked. In other statements, he mentioned an alter ego named “Zero,” which he implied was responsible for the crime.

Additional evidence presented in court included video and audio footage captured inside Horner’s delivery vehicle. Prosecutors stated that the recordings revealed a threatening interaction, during which he told Athena, “Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you,” shortly after forcibly placing her in the truck. At one stage, he reportedly instructed her to remove her shirt.

The timeline of events began on 30 November 2022, when Athena vanished from her family’s driveway in Wise County while Horner was delivering a package. Tragically, her body was discovered two days later on 2 December in a remote creek. The autopsy established that she had died due to blunt force trauma, smothering, and strangulation.

Horner ultimately entered a plea of guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping on 7 April. In light of his admissions and the presented evidence, the jury is now faced with the difficult decision of determining an appropriate sentence. They must weigh the gravity of the crime and the associated emotional and legal implications of either capital punishment or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

As the jurors continue their deliberation, the case remains a heartbreaking reminder of the impact of violence against children and the complex psychological factors that can lead to such heinous acts. The community awaits the final decision, which will undoubtedly echo the distressing nature of this tragedy for years to come.