The body of Athena Strand, the seven-year-old girl from Texas who went missing two days ago has been found 6 miles away from her home, authorities said on Friday.
Wise County sheriff Lane Akin said that a FedEx truck driver abducted Athena and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession, reported CBS News.
The driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.
An Amber Alert was issued on Thursday for the child, who vanished the night before in Paradise.
According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the child was dropped off from school at her home in Paradise at 4.30pm on Wednesday.
Her stepmother reportedly called the police to report her missing around 6.40pm that day when she didn’t find Athena in her room after an argument.
Key Points
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Missing 7-year-old Texas girl’s body found
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FedEx truck driver likely abducted Athena Strand
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FedEx truck driver Tanner Lynn Horner in custody
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Athena Strand went missing on Wednesday
Missing 7-year-old Texas girl’s body found
05:35 , Sravasti Dasgupta
The body of Athena Strand, the seven-year-old girl from Texas who went missing two days ago has been found 6 miles away from her home, authorities said.
Wise County sheriff Lane Akin said that a FedEx truck driver abducted Athena and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession, reported CBS News.
The driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.
Mr. Akin said that at about the time Athena went missing, Horner dropped off a package at the child’s home. She was probably abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house, he said.
ICYMI: Amber Alert continues for Athena Strand
04:30 , Graeme Massie
Case transitioned from search to investigation, police said
03:15 , Graeme Massie
ICYMI: At a press conference on Friday, authorities in Wise County, Texas, announced that the Athena Strand case was being transitioned from a search to an investigation.
Sheriff Lane Akin cautioned that foul play is not suspected at this time, but it is still in the realm of possibility.
Mr. Akin said there is no evidence at this point to suggest that Athena was abducted, but that is also a possibility.
More than 300 volunteers have been assisting a large group of police officers in the search in the 48 hours since Athena vanished.
Dog teams, helicopters and thermal imaging are also being used.
Athena was last seen wearing a shirt, jeans with flowers on the pockets and brown boots.
On the whole, details about her disappearance remain sparse.
Who is Athena Strand?
02:03 , Graeme Massie
ICYMI: Seven-year-old Athena Strand has been missing from her home in Paradise, Texas, since Wednesday (November 30).
An Amber Alert was issued for her the following day after she was reported missing by her stepmother, according to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office.
The stepmother made the report around 6.40pm Wednesday when she found Athena was not in her room following an argument.
Officials said during a press conference on Friday that the argument was not “unusual” and that the child “walked away” but didn’t come back.
It is believed her health and safety may be in danger and although foul play is not suspected at this time, an abduction has not been ruled out, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said.
“Then stepmom went to fix dinner, came back to get Athena, and Athena wasn’t in her room,” Mr. Akin said.
The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has more:
Authorities continue to hunt for missing 7-year-old Texas girl
Authorities tape off cars on rural roads
01:54 , Graeme Massie
Video from Texas shows that authorities have taped off a section of road with a car on it, around 10 miles from the home of Athena Strand, according to CBS News.
FBI join police on rural roads in Texas
01:16 , Graeme Massie
Media on the scene have reported that FBI agents and DPS have joined Wise County sheriff’s deputies along a stretch of rural road 10 miles from where Athena Strand was last seen.
Heavy police presence on rural road several miles from home
00:32 , Graeme Massie
Police have gathered at CR4599 road in Wise County, Texas, on Friday evening.
Law enforcement searching ditch seven miles from home
Friday 2 December 2022 23:35 , Graeme Massie
Law enforcement is now searching for a deep roadside ditch around seven miles from the home where Athena Stroud disappeared from, according to the media on the scene.
The sheriff says parents being ‘very cooperative’ in
Friday 2 December 2022 23:17 , Graeme Massie
ICYMI: Athena’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, lives in southern Oklahoma. Ms Gandy told Fox4 that although she has sole custody of the youngster she allowed her to live with her father for the fall semester in Texas.
“They’re very cooperative,” Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said about the parents. “They certainly are.”