Killer Is Sentenced To Lethal Injection In Texas For Killing First-Grader

Justice for a joyful little girl who was abducted outside her rural Texas home and murdered by a stranger driving a delivery truck.MaryAnn Martinez, the Daily Mail’s Texas bureau chief, was in the courtroom as a jury sealed the fate of 7-year-old Athena Strand’s killer, Tanner Horner.Athena, a first-grader with an affinity for the outdoors and the color pink, was abused and tortured by Horner, a FedEx driver, before he killed her and callously discarded her tiny frame in a nearby creek on Nov. 30, 2022.A frantic, multi-day search for Athena ensued. The child’s death traumatized her rural community.Horner pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping in April but a jury still had to determine his fate, which in Texas included the possibility of the death penalty. After a five-week trial,Athena’s family watched as the panel found that Horner should be executed by lethal injection.On this episode, Martinez discusses the case with host Kayla Brantley and takes us inside the courtroom for the dramatic last moments of the proceeding.We also learn what is expected to happen next as Horner waits on death row.Email us: thetrial@dailymail.com WhatsApp us: +44 7796 657512 Start your message with TrialPresenter: Kayla BrantleyProducers: Shayna Jacobs and Lucy RobsonEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamExecutive Producer: Jamie EastHelp shape the Crime Desk by taking our quick, listener survey. It takes just five minutes, and you could win a £50 Amazon voucher.Terms and conditionsOpen to UK residents aged 18 or over.Enter between 00:01 BST on 23rd April 2026 and 23:59 BST on 23rd May 2026, inclusiveThe Promotion is free to enter by visiting, completing the online survey and providing your contact details (including email address).There will be one (1) winner.The winner will win £50 Amazon VoucherAmazon Vouchers are subject to Amazon’s T&Cs found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Full T&Cs apply, click here to read them.Follow us on TikTok: @DailyMailCrimeEmail us: thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us: +44 7796 657512 Start your message with TrialPresenter: Kayla BrantleyProducer: Lucy RobsonCreative Director: Caroline CheethamExecutive Producer: Jamie EastClick here to sign up to The Crime Desk's weekly newsletter. It's free and packed with exclusive interviews, expert insight, and gripping deep dive investigations from across the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.