Family of Girl Who Was Brutally Murdered by FedEx Driver Sues Package Delivery Company

DALLAS, TX – The family of the 7-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a FedEx driver has now filed a civil suit against the delivery giant.

According to multiple reports, on Dec. 16, 2022, Jacob Strand, father of Athena Strand, filed a lawsuit against FedEx, his daughter's killer Tanner Lynn Horner and the subcontractor that employed Horner, Big Topspin. Against the two companies Strand is accusing them of gross negligence. 

In the court documents it claims that neither FedEx nor Big Topspin had set safety policies and procedures in place that would have stopped this tragedy from happening. Also that they did not fully investigate Horner's criminal history, mental health history, or his previous employment. Strand is seeking $1,000,000 and has demanded a jury trial. 

Athena was kidnapped on Dec. 1. Horner has confessed to investigators that he was the one that killed Athena. In an affidavit published by a number of Dallas news outlets confirmed that Horner kidnapped Athena while delivering packages.

He told police that accidentally hit Athena with his van while backing up and panicked. He put her in the van, broke her neck, and then strangled the child to death. Horner claims that he did it because Athena said she was going to tell her father.

Horner is charged with capital murder. If convicted he could face the death penalty.