Child killer Tanner Horner sang the holiday song “Jingle Bell Rock” as he was brutally murdering little Athena Strand in the back of his FedEx truck in late 2022, Texas jurors learned late Thursday, April 16, while continuing to hear evidence as they determine what punishment the 35-year-old delivery driver deserves: death or life in prison.
Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping on April 7, just as his criminal trial was set to start. On November 30, 2022, Horner kidnapped Athena from her Paradise, Texas, driveway after he’d delivered a package to her mom’s home stuffed with Christmas presents intended for her.
According to WFAA, who had reporters inside the closed courtroom last week, audio captured by the truck’s security camera was played for the jury; Horner had covered up the camera’s lens with a sticky note just prior to the killing.
Reporters said the truck’s radio was left on during the 7-year-old’s murder, and that at one point, “Jingle Bell Rock” began to play.
In the audio, Horner can be heard singing along to the tune, but is drowned out by the girl’s screams, WFAA reported. He eventually yells at the girl to “Shut up!”
Strand’s naked body was found in a nearby river two days after she was kidnapped.
Before killing the girl, Horner asked Athena to take off her shirt. She told him her mother taught her to say “no” to such requests, according to WFAA. Athena, who asked him if he was a kidnapper, also asked Horner why this was happening. He responds by telling her she’s pretty.
Jurors were seen sobbing as the audio of the girl’s screams played. Loud, indistinct banging could also be heard coming from the back of the delivery truck. Prosecutors have insisted Athena was not sexually assaulted, but the audio seems to indicate otherwise, WFAA reporters insisted.
They say there was no question that something sexual was going on.
The footage of Horner driving the FedEx truck after the killing shows him enjoying a cigarette.
Prosecutors have accused Horner of lying about striking Athena with his FedEx truck and then strangling her to avoid arrest.
Horner was indicted in February 2023 on charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder in connection with Athena’s death.
The prosecution rested its case Friday, April 17, after showing the disturbing videos to the jury.
On April 22, the proceedings will resume with the start of the defense’s case.
