FedEx driver arrested for abducting and killing Texas girl

In Wise County, Texas, a 7-year-old girl who had been missing for a few days has been found dead, according to authorities.

Late Friday night, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin announced that investigators had discovered the body of 7-year-old Athena Strand during an afternoon search in Boyd after acting on a tip that pointed them in the direction of a delivery driver.

According to the sheriff, detectives think the suspect killed the girl after taking her hostage.

Tanner Lynn Horner, a 31-year-old FedEx driver who was the suspect, later admitted to kidnapping the young woman, according to Akin. Driver on a contract, Horner.

"It’s one of the toughest investigations I have been involved in because it’s a child," Akin said at a press conference late Friday night alongside Athena’s biological mother and other emergency response officials.

In addition, Akin stated that they think the youngster was murdered "within an hour or so" of being removed from her house. Akin added on Friday night that "this community does not like losing its children."

Fox 4 reports that Athena vanished on Wednesday after leaving the house after a dispute with her stepmother. Athena boarded the bus at around 4:15 p.m., and she left the house before 5:15 p.m. when the stepmother became concerned about her whereabouts.

After an hour of searching, the stepmother called the police, according to Fox 4.

According to the article, her biological mother lives in Oklahoma while her biological father was out on a hunting trip.

More than two days of searches, which involved numerous law enforcement officers, aircraft, and dog rescue teams, come to a devastating end with the discovery of the body. The Wise County Office of Emergency Management reported that more than 300 volunteers also contributed.

Digital evidence assisted in directing investigators to the FedEx driver, according to acting FBI agent in charge Jim Dwyer, who did not provide any other details to Fox 4.

"Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow at the reports surrounding this tragic event," a FedEx spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "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." 

According to Fox 4 Dallas, Horner, a Lake Worth resident, is being held in the Wise County Jail on accusations of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder. His detention is under a $1.5 million bond.

Regarding whether the girl had been sexually assaulted, the authorities made no comments. No specific cause of death has been identified.

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