A FedEx contract driver in Texas was arrested Friday and accused of kidnapping and homicide within the dying of a 7-year-old woman who went lacking two days earlier, officers stated.
The disappearance of Athena Strand, who vanished Wednesday from her dwelling in Paradise in Clever County, prompted a big search with round 200 volunteers from the group.
On Friday, authorities discovered her physique southeast of town of Boyd, a metropolis round 11 miles away, Clever County Sheriff Lane Akin informed reporters.
“We do have a confession,” Akin stated at a information convention Friday evening.
The motive force, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, has been arrested on expenses of capital homicide and aggravated kidnapping, Akin stated.
He was being held in jail in lieu of $1.5 million bond Friday evening. It was not instantly clear Friday evening if Horner had an lawyer who might converse on his behalf.
Athena arrived dwelling from faculty Wednesday afternoon like she usually does and round 6:40 p.m. her stepmother reported the kid lacking, Akin has stated.
Horner delivered a package deal on the dwelling across the time she was found lacking, Akin stated Friday evening. Investigators consider the woman died inside about an hour of the kidnapping, he stated.
Officers at a information convention didn’t reveal a motive and didn’t say how the kid died.
FedEx stated in an announcement that their ideas are with the household, and the corporate is cooperating totally with regulation enforcement.
“Phrases can’t describe our shock and sorrow on the experiences surrounding this tragic occasion,” FedEx stated.
It directed different inquiries to regulation enforcement. It was not clear how lengthy Horner had been a contract driver with the corporate.
Athena’s disappearance prompted a search that included helicopters with thermal imaging, assist from the Texas Rangers and neighboring police departments, and the FBI, amongst others, officers stated. The Texas Division of Public Security issued an Amber Alert.
James Dwyer, FBI particular agent answerable for the Dallas discipline workplace, stated investigators had been capable of look by way of digital proof and work with FedEx within the investigation. He didn’t say what the digital proof was.
Dwyer stated he hoped the Strand household has some closure. “We all know that they’re hurting, however we do provide our deepest condolences,” he stated.
Akin stated that when the kid’s physique was taken to the health worker’s workplace Friday, one Texas Ranger traveled in entrance and one behind the automobile.
“This group doesn’t like shedding our kids,” he stated. “And you’ll see it due to all of the individuals who got here out and helped us all through this ordeal.”
