A FedEx driver has been charged with murder after police say he kidnapped a 7-year-old girl in northern Texas while making a delivery to her home.
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was arrested Friday on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of Athena Strand, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said at a news conference Friday.
Her family reported her missing Wednesday after she disappeared from her home's driveway. Her body was recovered Friday evening in the town of Boyd, about 50 miles northwest of Fort Worth, after a massive, multi-agency search. Investigators believe Athena died within "an hour or so of her departure from home," Akin said."It's one of the toughest investigations that I've been involved in because it's a child," he added.
In a statement to news outlets, a FedEx spokesperson said: “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.”Akin said a tip early Friday helped investigators identify a suspect in the kidnapping.
The cause of Athena's death remains under investigation, and her body was taken to the medical examiner's office Friday, Akin said. The discovery of her body brought an end to a dayslong search involving multiple law enforcement agencies and rescue teams, helicopters and search dogs, Akin said. More than 300 volunteers also joined the search effort, and community members donated food, flashlights and water,"This community does not like losing our children, and we can see it because of all the people who came out and helped us throughout this ordeal," Akin said.
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