A heartbreaking case from Texas has reached a major decision. On May 5, 2026, a former FedEx driver has been sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of a young girl.
The punishment was decided by a jury in Tarrant County for the 2022 murder of Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl.
The incident took place in November 2022 in Paradise, Texas. Horner had gone to deliver a Christmas gift to Athena’s home. During that time, he abducted her.
Athena’s body was found two days after she was missing from her home. Her body found in the rural town of Paradise, near Fort Worth.
Later, during the trial, prosecutors shared strong evidence, including an audio recording from inside the delivery van. In the recording, the young girl could be heard asking to go home.
At the start of the trial in April 2026, Horner admitted his crime. His lawyers asked the court to give him life in prison instead of death, saying he had mental health issues. However, the jury decided on the death penalty after reviewing all the evidence.
He will be executed by lethal injection at a prison in Huntsville, Texas. For now, he has been moved to a high-security unit where he will stay alone.
There is no execution date yet, as the legal process can take time.