FedEx driver who killed Athena Strand, 7, hit her with van and strangled her because he panicked

The FedEx driver accused of abducting and killing a 7-year-old girl last week in Texas told authorities that he strangled the victim after accidentally hitting her with his van while making a delivery at her home, according to an arrest warrant. At a news conference Thursday, Maitlyn Gandy — the mother of Athena — told how Horner, was delivering a You Can Be Anything Barbie to Strand's father and stepmother's house in Paradise, Texas, last Wednesday when he allegedly snatched the young girl and killed her. The box Horner was delivering included You Can Be Anything Barbie dolls meant for Strand Gandy said she will continue to seek justice for her daughter, saying 'screening and hiring policies must be put into place so that monsters wearing delivery uniforms don't show up on our children's footsteps' Maitlyn Gandy — the mother of Athena Strand — told how Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was delivering a Christmas present for her daughter when he allegedly kidnapped and killed her The FedEx van Homer was said to have been driving was found several miles away from where Athena was abducted FedEx released a statement on Friday night expressing its condolences to the family: 'Words cannot describe our shock at the reports surrounding this tragic event. Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin says he is seeking the death penalty for the man accused of kidnapping and murdering the seven-year-old girl Police say they connected Horner to the killing based on a tip they received, and his FedEx delivery route on Wednesday They say he snatched Athena Strand from the driveway of her family home in Paradise, Texas, that afternoon, after the girl stepped outside following an argument with her stepmother and as Horner was delivering a package. Gandy described her daughter as a 'free-spirited and innocent' little girl 'who loved dancing, singing and all animals' The grieving mother died her hair pink in her daughter's memory, as she spoke about how she will have to celebrate Christmas without Athena for the first time in seven years At the news conference on Thursday, Gandy — who died her hair pink in her daughter's memory — spoke about the loss.