Fort Worth Trial Relocation and Legal Proceedings

Tanner Lynn Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder on April 7, 2026, in a Fort Worth, Texas, court for the killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand.

The plea was entered at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center before 297th District Judge George Gallagher. The proceedings began at 9 a.m. On the day the capital murder trial was scheduled to start.

Horner was charged with the kidnapping and murder of Strand, a student at Paradise Elementary. Strand was reported missing on November 30, 2022, and her body was discovered by authorities on December 2, 2022.

Investigation and Recovery

The recovery of the victim’s body involved a series of interactions between investigators and Horner. Ranger Job Espinoza testified that Horner led investigators to the Trinity River at County Road 4668, also known as Bobo Crossing, on December 2, 2022.

According to testimony, Horner utilized an alter ego he called Zero while communicating with authorities. District Attorney James Stainton questioned the Ranger regarding the inconsistencies and lies Horner provided during the investigation, including details about whether the child was clothed when her body was disposed of.

Ranger Espinoza stated that he was willing to play the game with the alter ego in order to obtain the truth and locate Athena Strand.

Further evidence in the case included the discovery of the child’s clothing located behind Horner’s residence in Lake Worth.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Following the guilty plea, the legal process has shifted to the punishment phase. The trial was moved to Fort Worth from the rural Wise County.

There are conflicting requests regarding the sentence for Horner:

• Prosecutors from Wise County are seeking the death penalty.
• The defense team is seeking a sentence of life without parole.