Seven-year-old Athena Strand should have been safe at home.

Instead, on November 30, 2022, she vanished from outside her father’s property in Paradise, Texas after a FedEx delivery driver came to the home. What followed became one of the most haunting child murder cases in recent memory — a case that would ultimately lead to the arrest, conviction, and death sentence of Tanner Horner.

In this episode, I walk through the timeline of Athena’s disappearance, the search efforts that gripped the community, the disturbing evidence shown during the capital murder sentencing trial, and the heartbreaking testimony from the people who loved Athena most.

Portions of audio featured in this episode come directly from the live trial proceedings, including testimony from Maitlyn Gandy and the Medical Examiner.

Listener discretion is strongly advised. This episode contains discussion of violence against a child, forensic testimony, and traumatic material.

Advocacy. Investigation. Education. Storytelling.

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Mentioned in this episode:

This Is True Crime (Book)

This Is True Crime: How to Become an Advocate for Justice (book) by Raven Rollins