Capital murder trial reveals graphic audio evidence in Athena Strand killing case

Tanner Horner sang a Christmas song while 7-year-old Athena Strand screamed in the back of his delivery truck, prosecutors told a Texas court during emotional testimony this week.

Jurors at the trial in Fort Worth, Texas, heard disturbing audio evidence from the vehicle’s surveillance system showing Horner singing “Jingle Bell Rock” as the child cried out in pain, according to court proceedings and local reports.

Prosecutors said the recording captured Strand’s abduction on November 30, 2022, after Horner, then working as a FedEx driver, picked her up from the driveway of her home in Paradise, Texas, where she was staying with family.

In the footage, Strand is heard asking, “Where are you taking me?” before Horner allegedly covered the camera inside the truck, though the audio continued to record.

Around 30 minutes into the recording, music began playing in the vehicle, and Horner is heard singing along while the child screamed, according to testimony presented in court.

Prosecutors said Strand could also be heard asking for her mother and questioning whether Horner was a kidnapper, while he allegedly told her to be quiet or face further harm.

Strand’s parents reportedly left the courtroom before the disturbing audio was played to jurors.

Horner has already pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in connection with the case.

His sentencing phase is now underway, with jurors tasked with deciding whether he should receive the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.

Court proceedings also reviewed additional footage showing Horner driving through a residential area amid a large search effort for the missing child the following day.

In one exchange captured on video, a woman near the scene told Horner that authorities were responding to a kidnapping involving a 7-year-old girl. Horner appeared to express surprise before continuing on his route.

During a jailhouse phone call played in court, Horner denied wrongdoing while speaking with his mother, though prosecutors highlighted inconsistencies in his statements.

Strand’s body was discovered two days after her disappearance approximately nine miles from where she was last seen.