- Tanner Lynn Horner, a FedEx driver, was sentenced to death in Texas for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand.
- Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder on April 7, which initiated the penalty phase of his trial, where he faced either life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
- A Texas jury delivered the death sentence after 19 days of testimony, which included a chilling audio recording from Horner's delivery van and his confession to investigators.
- Prosecutors argued the case was among the 'worst of the worst' and warranted the death penalty, while defense attorneys cited Horner's troubled upbringing, autism diagnosis, and mental health struggles in an attempt to secure a life sentence.
- During the sentencing, Athena's uncle directly addressed Horner, condemning his actions and stating that Horner would be forgotten while Athena's name would be forever remembered and celebrated.
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