Mother of girl, 7, killed by FedEx driver shares tragic last words she said to her
The mother of a seven-year-old girl who was horrifically murdered by a former FedEx driver revealed the contents of the last conversation they shared.
Maitlyn Gandy previously told a Texas court how she 'felt like she was dying' after receiving a call informing her that her daughter, Athena Strand, had disappeared on 30 November, 2022.
She had dropped the little girl off at her father's home in Paradise, Texas, just days earlier and was supposed to pick her up at the end of the week - but tragically, she never got the chance.
Former FedEx driver Tanner Horner, 34, abducted and murdered Athena from the property after delivering a parcel containing a Christmas gift for the youngster.
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He pleaded guilty to his vile crimes last month, before a jury ruled that he should be sentenced to death on Tuesday (5 May).
The 12 men and women who were tasked with deciding his fate heard a host of harrowing testimony during the month-long trial and were reportedly left in tears after hearing audio of Athena's final moments.
The court was also shown a letter that Horner penned to his victim's family, where he apologised for 'taking their little angel away' and blamed his 'unstable' mental state and work stress for his appalling actions.
These words fell on deaf ears for Athena's loved ones, who said their family had been 'destroyed' by her death and heartbreakingly told how he caused 'pain that will last generations'.
While Horner was waiting for the jury to decide what fate he would face, Athena's mother arrived at the court each day donning pink - which was a sweet tribute to her daughter.
Maitlyn, who also dyed her hair the same colour, previously explained that it was Athena's favourite colour and a symbol of her bright personality.
But on the final day of Horner's trial, where he was sentenced to death, she boldly wore a black suit.
Maitlyn took the stand last month and delivered some poignant testimony, while revealing what her final words to Athena were.
After being asked to recall the 'last thing she said to Athena' by a prosecutor, the grief-stricken mother responded, as per Fox 4 News: "I told her that I loved her and that I would see her on Friday.
"We had a quick drop-off because her daddy was going to take them to the Christmas lights."
Discussing the moment she discovered the seven-year-old had vanished from her dad's home, Maitlyn told the court that she raced over from her house in Oklahoma to Paradise, Texas.
"It felt like I was dying," Maitlyn said. "I couldn't breathe, but I knew I had to keep going. I almost tapped on the brakes because I thought I was having a heart attack.
"But I just told myself that if I kept going, it would be okay, and I would find her."
The mum also explained that she disguised what was happening from Athena's three-year-old sister.
"I didn't know how to tell her, and I didn't think I was strong enough to tell her," Maitlyn said. "So I lied to her for a long time. I would tell her that she was just staying with her daddy for a little bit longer.
"And when she asked to FaceTime or to call her, I would tell her that she was at school or she was sleeping. Until about a year ago, she didn't know the whole truth."
Maitlyn bravely opened up about the turmoil her family has faced since November 2022 in a statement previously shared by her lawyers.
It read, in part: "I was supposed to bring Athena back to our home in Oklahoma after Christmas break. Now, instead, Athena will be cremated and come home in an urn because I am not even close to being ready to let her go.
"I will never see her bright blue eyes or her ornery smile again. I will never be able to hear her say 'I love you mommy'. I will never be able to do her hair again or hold her while she sleeps.
"I was robbed of watching her grow up by a man that everyone was supposed to be able to trust to do one simple task: deliver Christmas packages and leave."
She described Athena as 'an amazing little girl who loved dancing, singing and all animals', as well as school and the friends she had made there.
"I know that Athena’s death will not be in vain," Maitlyn's statement added. "I will spend the rest of my life fighting for her so that no other family will endure such unbearable pain and grief.
"A monster attempted to take Athena’s voice. We are her voice. Screening and hiring policies must be put into place so that monsters wearing delivery uniforms don’t show up on our children’s doorsteps.
"Please help me keep Athena’s light shining."
Timeline of the investigation into Athena Strand’s murder
30 November 2022
Tanner Horner delivers a Christmas present to Athena Strand’s home, a box of ‘You Can Be Anything’ Barbie dolls.
Athena had got into an argument with her stepmum Elizabeth Strand, and it's believed she went outside to go to her makeshift bedroom in a converted storage shed, where she was staying during home renovations.
Horner kidnaps her. She is thought to have died about an hour after her disappearance.
CBS reports that police track down Horner the same day through digital evidence.
1 December 2022
Texas' Department of Public Safety issues an amber alert to try and find Athena. Two hundred civilians helped scour over 50 acres of land without success.
2 December 2022
Police find Athena’s naked body dumped near a river in Boyd, around nine miles from her home. Horner gives the police two false locations, before telling them where to find the body.
He originally says he ran over Athena and panicked, before admitting to killing her.
He is charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping and held on a $1.5 million bond.
6 March 2023
Horner pleads not guilty during his arraignment in Wise County.
Technicalities such as who should represent Horner and concerns around pre-trial publicity are said to have slowed down legal proceedings.
7 April 2026
Horner changes his plea to guilty just as his trial is about to begin.
Jurors are instead asked if he should receive the death penalty or life in prison.
They are asked two questions. First, do you consider Horner to be a continuing threat to society? Second, are there mitigating circumstances that should exclude Horner from receiving the death penalty?
5 May 2026
Tanner Horner is sentenced to death by lethal injection.
Topics: Crime, True Crime, US News, Parenting
Olivia Burke