Pastor Reveals FedEx Driver Tanner Horner Brought a Sack of Knives to Church Before Abducting and Murdering Athena Strand in Texas, Sparking Courtroom Shock and Controversy

A Texas courtroom has heard disturbing new testimony in the capital murder case of FedEx driver Tanner Horner, who admitted to abducting and killing seven-year-old Athena Strand in 2022.

The trial has taken a deeper turn as witnesses, including his former pastor, described warning signs in his past that now appear chilling in hindsight.

Horner, 34, has already pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping after the death of Athena, whose case shocked the small community of Paradise, Texas.

He was working as a delivery driver at the time and was reportedly bringing a box of Barbie dolls meant to be part of the child’s Christmas gift when he abducted her.

Pastor Says He Saw a Troubling Shift Years Before the Crime

One of the most striking testimonies came from a pastor identified in court only as “Gary,” who said he had known Horner since he was a teenager in junior high.

According to Gary, Horner once appeared to be a typical young member of his church and lived with autism-related challenges.

But over time, the pastor said his behavior changed in ways that concerned church members.

Gary told jurors that Horner became increasingly withdrawn after a change in medication and began carrying a bag everywhere he went to church.

What started as confusion quickly turned into alarm.

Church leaders eventually inspected the bag and, according to Gary, discovered it contained multiple knives.

The discovery led to growing concern among church officials, and Horner was ultimately told he could not bring the bag into services.

Gary said Horner did not understand why the bag was an issue and eventually stopped attending church regularly.

The Day Athena Strand Was Killed

Prosecutors say the events that led to Athena Strand’s death unfolded in November 2022 when Horner was making deliveries in the area.

He later admitted to abducting the child while she was outside her home.

Authorities say he strangled her and left her body in a creek after taking her away in his delivery vehicle.

The case gained national attention not only because of the victim’s age but also because of the circumstances—an ordinary delivery job turning into a deadly encounter.

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Emotional Testimony and Conflicting Accounts in Court

During the trial, Pastor Gary also revealed that Horner contacted him after his arrest.

The pastor said Horner requested a specific Bible verse but did not discuss the details of the crime with him.

Gary told the jury he attempted to understand Horner’s mental state at the time, especially in relation to his autism diagnosis, but admitted that communication was often difficult.

Under cross-examination, the pastor acknowledged that Horner had previously misled him about how the killing happened, including a claim that it had been an accident involving a vehicle.

Prosecutors pressed him on that inconsistency, and he agreed that version of events was not accurate.

Earlier Allegations Surface During Trial

Beyond the murder case, jurors also heard testimony from multiple women who accused Horner of sexually assaulting them when they were teenagers.

One woman described repeated assaults that allegedly occurred when she was 16 years old.

She testified that alcohol and drugs were involved and said she froze during the incidents, later describing feelings of shame and regret for not reporting it sooner.

Another woman gave similar testimony, claiming she was assaulted in 2014 under circumstances involving shared social activities, including band practices and gatherings with mutual friends.

She said she woke up during one incident to find Horner on top of her.

While both accounts were deeply emotional, cross-examination revealed inconsistencies and past statements where at least one accuser described elements of the situation as consensual.

A Remorseful Letter to the Victim’s Family

Jurors were also shown a letter Horner wrote in January 2023 to Athena Strand’s family.

In the letter, he expressed remorse and referenced struggles with change and routine, saying he had difficulty coping with unpredictability due to Asperger’s syndrome.

He suggested that stress related to his delivery route contributed to his mental state at the time of the crime.

He apologized to the victim’s family and also reflected on the impact of his actions on his own relatives, including his mother and fiancée.

He ended the letter stating he hoped his punishment might bring some relief to the grieving family.

Impact and Consequences

The case has had far-reaching emotional and legal consequences.

For Athena Strand’s family, it represents an unimaginable loss that has become central to a high-profile capital murder prosecution.

For the community, it has raised renewed concerns about safety in everyday services and the vetting of delivery personnel.

The courtroom revelations about Horner’s past have also sparked debate about how warning signs—such as behavioral changes and prior allegations—are recognized and acted upon before they escalate into tragedy.

What’s Next?

The death penalty proceedings are still ongoing as jurors continue to weigh testimony from multiple witnesses, including law enforcement, alleged victims, and those who knew Horner personally.

The court is expected to consider both aggravating and mitigating factors, including his guilty plea, mental health claims, and the severity of the crime.

A sentencing decision will ultimately determine whether Horner receives the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.

Summary

Tanner Horner’s trial continues to unfold with disturbing testimony from both his past and the events surrounding Athena Strand’s killing.

From a pastor’s account of knives discovered in a church bag to allegations of prior sexual assaults, the case paints a complex and deeply troubling portrait now under intense legal scrutiny.

Bulleted Takeaways

• FedEx driver Tanner Horner admitted to abducting and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand in 2022
• A former pastor testified Horner once brought a bag of knives to church
• Horner was delivering Barbie dolls meant as a Christmas gift when the crime occurred
• Multiple women testified to alleged sexual assaults involving Horner as a teenager
• Horner wrote a remorseful letter blaming stress and autism-related struggles
• Prosecutors dispute his claims about the circumstances of the killing
• The death penalty phase of the trial is ongoing with sentencing still ahead