The city of Dallas, Texas is still in shock after the horrific crime of Athena Strand, after a FedEx driver was accused of kidnapping and killing a 7-year-old girl. after he delivered his Christmas present.
Now his mother, Maitlin Gandhi, has called for stricter vetting rules for delivery drivers in a press conference.
“Athena was denied the opportunity to be who she wanted to be.Gandhi said through tears. “I was deprived of the opportunity to watch her grow up because of a person who everyone should have trusted with one simple task: deliver a Christmas present and leave.”
Athena disappeared from a driveway in Wise County, Texas on November 30. According to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin, after a search of the county, her body was discovered Friday night. Authorities believe she was killed within an hour of the alleged abduction, but the cause of her death is still under investigation.
The suspect, identified by authorities as a FedEx contract driver, is 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner, Akin said. According to authorities, he allegedly delivered a package to Athena’s father’s house when she went missing.
Horner is being held in the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. According to Akin, his bail was set at $1.5 million.
Horner allegedly told authorities that strangled her after accidentally hitting her with his truck while delivering her homeunder an arrest warrant.
Investigators said he told them that Strand was not seriously injured after hitting her while she was reversing, but panicked and put her in his truck. He said that she had spoken to him and gave his name, as stated in the affidavit.
Horner also told police during interrogation that he strangled Athena because she was going to tell her father that she was hit by a FedEx truck, according to a court order.
The affidavit stated that Horner led investigators to the location where he left Athena’s body.
In a statement last week, FedEx offered condolences and forwarded further questions to law enforcement.
“Words cannot describe our shock and grief at the news of this tragic event. First of all, our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time, and we continue to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities, ”the statement said.
Source: La Opinion
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