‘HORRIBLE’ VIEWING 

Horrifying video from inside FedEx truck where driver killed Athena Strand revealed with chilling ‘don’t scream’ warning

A DISTURBING video from inside the FedEx truck where Athena Strand was strangled to death by a former driver will be shared with jurors.

The seven-year-old was killed by Tanner Horner, 34, who abducted her from outside her house after delivering a Christmas present in November 2022.

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Athena Strand was just seven years old when she was abducted and strangled to death by former FedEx driver Tanner HornerCredit: Facebook/shannonmurrayfox4
 

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Horner has since pleaded guilty to murderCredit: Wise County Jail
 

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A terrifying image captures Athena moments before she was killedCredit: NBC 5 News
Initially, Horner said he accidentally hit the girl with his truck before disposing of her body in a panic – an excuse branded a “a web of lies” by the prosecutor.

He later admitted to strangling her, and prosecutors say she was in good health when she was killed.

At a hearing this week, authorities shared a terrifying image of Athena’s final moments.

It shows her standing on her needs and looking alert inside his truck as she was driven to her death.

Little Athena was abducted by Horner while he delivered a box of Barbies – which was meant to be a Christmas present – to her home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Now, jurors are being presented shattering details about the crime as they weigh whether Horner should be handed the death penalty or thrown behind bars for life.

Her final moments were captured by a microphone inside the vehicle after Horner had covered up a camera – and jurors were told they will hear the audio.

The audio and video shows Horner saying: “Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you,” Wise County District Attorney James Stainton said in court.

It comes as prosecutors warned jurors that the evidence would be gruesome and would include audio of Athena’s killing.

“You are going to hear what a 250lb man can do to a 67lb child. And when I say it’s horrible, I mean it,” said Stainton.

“I’m going to put you as close as you can be without actually being there that day. We have video of it and we’re going to show it now,” he added.

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Horner will be thrown in prison for life or hit with the death penaltyCredit: Facebook
 

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The driver dropped off a Christmas present then snatched herCredit: Facebook/ Maitlyn Presley Gandy
Describing what happened, the prosecutor continued: “The first thing Tanner Horner says to Athena when he picks her up and puts her in that truck, he leans down and he says: “Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you.” He says that twice.”

He added that Horner’s DNA was found under her fingernails, indicating she fought him, and “in places where you shouldn’t find DNA on a seven-year-old girl.”

Horner was due to go on trial before suddenly pleading guilty to capital murder of a child under 10 and aggravated kidnapping.

Among other evidence presented during the trial, body cam footage showed police searching his home for signs of Strand.

Cops demanded he tell them where Athena was.

“I can show you,” he replied.

“Is she alive?” an officer asked.

“She wasn’t alive when I put her in the truck,” the killer replied.

Police struggled to find her, with Horner admitting he “just kind of tossed her.”

She was eventually found two days after she was last seen.

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Horner was due to go on trial before suddenly pleading guilty to capital murder of a child under 10 and aggravated kidnappingCredit: WFAA TV