By: Gabriela Sundquist
Content Warning
Harm to and murder of a child. SA. Statutory rape. Reader discretion is advised.
“I don’t care if it is five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now – remember Athena Strand.” A heartbreaking plead from Maitlyn Gandy, Athena’s mom, said during a candlelight vigil held in Paradise, Texas on December 6, 2022. Maitlyn expresses a need and will to “keep her face and her story alive”. She states, “I want everyone to know Athena for Athena… because she’s the best little girl.”
Athena Presley Monroe Strand was a bright and bubbly 7-year-old girl. On November 30, 2022, she was in Boyd, Texas at her dad’s house. Her dad was out and her stepmom was inside. Athena was out in the front yard when a FedEx truck pulled up to the property. Inside he had a package that held a Christmas present for Athena. But, she will never get to open that gift.
The Incident
According to reports from a warrant and Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin, the following events happened on the evening of Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
At 6:40 pm, Athena’s stepmom, Elizabeth called 911 to report Athena missing. She last saw Athena around 5:45 pm in a converted storage shed that she and her stepsister were using as a bedroom while Jacob Strand (Athena’s dad) worked on the house. When Elizabeth went back to check on Athena 20 or 30 mins later, she was nowhere to be found.
She then called her sister and brother-in-law, who lived next door, if they knew where Athena was. They hadn’t seen her. Then she called Jacob who was on his way to San Antonio with his dad for a hunting trip. He told Elizabeth to call 911, and he turned the car around.
That night and the following day, hundreds of authorities and volunteers searched endlessly for Athena. The dogs could only follow her scent to the end of the driveway though. She had seemed to vanish into thin air.
Athena’s Community
For two whole days, Athena’s family and friends along with their entire community worried and searched for Athena. Everyone who knew Athena loved her. She was one of those people who had so much love for every living thing. According to her mom, there wasn’t a person or animal that she met that she didn’t love.
And now because of Athena’s mom speaking out about Athena in such a beautiful way and people talking about and sharing Athena’s story, there isn’t a person that learns about Athena that doesn’t love her.
The Confession
The following information was disclosed in a warrant obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tyler Lynn Horner, a 30-year-old FedEx driver pulled up to Athena’s father’s home to deliver the package. According to Maitlyn, that package carried a “You Can Be Anything” Barbie set. It was going to go under the tree for Athena to open in a couple of weeks at Christmas. Maitlyn reflected, “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.”
Horner states that he “accidentally hit [Athena] with his van while delivering” his packages. He described Athena as ‘okay’ after the accident. He stated that she could speak and even told him her name.
He then claims that he panicked and shoved Strand into his truck and tried to break her neck. When that didn’t work, he strangled her instead. He states that he was “afraid she would tell her dad”.
What kind of logic is that? I don’t want to get in trouble so let me do MORE harm to this little girl? Why didn’t he just let her be? Why didn’t he go in, talk to the stepmom and figure out a plan? Instead, this coward panics.
It makes me so mad because accidents happen. They happen all the time, and this accident wasn’t a bad one. Athena wasn’t seriously injured from getting hit by the FedEx truck. But because the man is a coward, Athena isn’t here today.
He then confessed that he dumped her body in the water on the edge of Trinity River. This river runs near Boyd and is about 10 miles away from her Dad’s house. They discovered her body on December 2, 2022.
The streets are lined with pink ribbons guiding the community to the spot where she was found. The spot is now decorated with many pink balloons as a tribute to Athena, as pink was her favorite color.
Shay Marie
Now, Horner doesn’t have a criminal record, but he should.
Shay Marie sheds a lot of light on the character of Tanner Horner. On November 11, 2019, she posted on Facebook saying “Friendly reminder that Tanner Horner is a rapist.”
A rapist. The man is truly a coward through and through.
This is just one of the many posts and attempts she made at making sure Horner doesn’t cause any more damage and that no one else gets hurt by him.
In 2014, Shay Marie was 16 and Horner was 23. He raped her and she has been warning people about him for 8 years. But no one outside of her support system believed her. After Horner confessed to the kidnapping and murder of Athena, Shay Marie posted the following.
“Tanner Lynn Horner, the man who raped me at 16, 8 years ago, murdered Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl. I hope the family gets the justice they deserve. I hope he rots.”
Shay Marie
Last September she also posted saying the following.
“I am 23. The man who assaulted [me] when I was 16, was 23. We were ‘friends’, he tried convincing me to date him and I declined. We stayed ‘friends’ until he could get me inebriated enough to take advantage of me – a 16-year-old child. I could never in a million years imagine being friends with a 16-year-old now, let alone trying to date/sleep with a 16-year-old. I will never understand it.”
Shay Marie
Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin described this as a “crime of opportunity”. And if Horner was held accountable for his previous crimes he would have never had the opportunity to commit this crime. He would be in jail.
In Texas, there is no statute of limitations on statutory rape, which means that Horner can still be held accountable for this crime as well as his crimes against Athena.
Shay Marie has also actively participated in sharing and promoting Athena Strand’s GoFundMe. Donate or participate here.
Sentencing
Sheriff Lane Akin has stated that they’re asking the district attorney to seek the death penalty for Horner. He’s been charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. His bail is $1.5 million.
Athena’s autopsy results and the official cause of death are pending from the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Delivery Drivers for Athena
I also want to take the time to remind us all that truck drivers aren’t the problem. Tanner Lynn Horner and cowards like him are the problem. It’s been absolutely beautiful to see the community of truck drivers band together in honor of Athena. Many drivers sport pink flowers and clothing as a tribute to her.
Especially this time of year, truck drivers deliver Christmas and joy to many all around the world. Let’s remember to be safe and keep an eye out for each other.
Athena Presley Monroe Strand
Most importantly I want to end with Athena. Maityln has made it her goal to make sure Athena doesn’t get lost behind hatred for Horner or anything else. She wants her to live on in the hearts of many. I can see that already happening and it’s beautiful. Here are some key things to know about Athena and the beautiful girl she was:
She wanted to be a Viking Princess when she grew up. (Where can I sign up for that job?) She loved swimming and jumping off diving boards. (Brave little girl. I still can’t do that.) She loved being outdoors. She had a wonderful laugh and loved laughing. She thought farts were hilarious. She loved school and drawing and Mcdonalds’. She loved candy.
Most of all, she loved her Mom, Dad, and three baby sisters, and her family loved her.
And now everyone else does too.
Sources
Thank you to the many sources that provided me with information about Athena and this case. Thank you to Shay Marie for sharing your story so bravely even when the world chose to mock you instead of believing you.
And most of all thank you to Maityln for sharing your daughter with the world and allowing us to see these beautiful glimpses of her.
Meditation, Mindfulness and Murder 