Athena Strand’s heartbroken mom reveals her seven-year-old daughter murdered by a FedEx driver had a brilliant pink coffin.
Maitlyn Gandy, 26, stated her late daughter, Athena, was remembered at a non-public funeral service with the coffin on Friday, however can be cremated and ‘come house in an urn as a result of I am not wherever near letting my child go.’
The little woman’s funeral comes someday after FedEx driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was {accused} of abducting and killing the 7-year-old woman final week in Texas.
Horner informed authorities that he strangled the sufferer after by accident hitting her together with his van whereas making a supply at her house, in line with an arrest warrant.
Horner informed investigators that Athena wasn’t severely damage after he hit her whereas backing up, however he panicked fearing she would inform on him and put her in his van. He stated she was speaking to him and informed him her identify.
When Athena started saying she was going to inform her father concerning the accident, Horner tried to silence her by breaking her neck, in line with the affidavit.
The seven-year-old was laid to relaxation in a brilliant pink coffin at a non-public funeral service that was held on Friday. Maitlyn Gandy, 26, stated her late daughter, Athena, can be cremated and ‘come house in an urn as a result of I am not wherever near letting my child go’
Someday earlier than her daughter’s funeral Gandy wept as she shared her overwhelming disappointment describing her little woman as half tomboy, and half girly-girl.
‘I’ll by no means see her brilliant smile or her eyes once more,’ Gandy stated. ‘I’ll by no means hear her say, ‘I really like you mommy.’ I’ll by no means have the ability to do her hair once more or maintain her whereas she sleeps.”
She stated her daughter cherished Christmas and shared that it might be her first Christmas in seven years with out her child woman.
The package deal that her daughter’s killer dropped off was her daughter’s Christmas current – ‘You will be something’ Barbie’s.
‘Athena was robbed of the chance to develop as much as be something she needed,’ Gandy stated, The Dallas Morning Information reported. ‘And this current, ordered out of innocence and love, is one she’s going to by no means obtain.’
Horner is being held on the Smart County Legislation Enforcement Middle in Texas on a $1.5million bond, as prosecutors work to hunt the dying penalty. He’s going through capital homicide and aggravated kidnapping fees.
The package deal that her daughter’s killer dropped off was her daughter’s Christmas current – ‘You will be something’ Barbie’s
Maitlyn Gandy, 26, stated her late daughter, Athena, can be cremated and ‘come house in an urn as a result of I am not wherever near letting my child go’
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, informed investigators that Athena Strand wasn’t severely damage after he hit her whereas backing up, however he panicked and put her in his van. He stated she was speaking to him and informed him her identify
Athena’s mother stated her daughter, Athena cherished Barbie dolls. This picture was the reward she was planning to provide her for Christmas
Texas authorities stated Horner’s case is scheduled to be turned over to the district lawyer subsequent week.
Within the meantime, the Smart County Sheriff’s Workplace will proceed to follow-up on suggestions they obtain from the general public to allow them to construct an air-tight case towards him.
‘As a result of of the age of the kid, and since it was an abduction, we’re going to pursue the dying penalty,’ Sheriff Lane Atkin informed WFAA.
In the meantime, the attorneys representing Gandy and her household are planning to conduct their very own investigation to find out whether or not FedEx might have finished extra to stop the tragedy.
Benson Varghese wouldn’t go so far as to announce a lawsuit towards the delivery firm however requested group members to contact them with any info — even when they, too, had simply obtained a package deal from Horner that day.
‘We wish an intensive investigation,’ he stated, as he informed reporters that he has numerous individuals he want to communicate with.
He added that he ‘wholeheartedly agrees’ with the sheriff’s resolution to hunt the dying penalty, saying: ‘It’s undoubtedly appreciated.’
Maitlyn Presley Gandy, mom of late Athena Strand embraces different children throughout a memorial service at First Baptist Church of Cottondale in Paradise, Texas, on Tuesday
Gandy vowed she’s going to proceed to hunt justice for her daughter, Athena (pictured)
Gandy vowed she’s going to proceed to hunt justice for her daughter.
‘I’ll spend the remainder of my life combating for her in order that no different household will endure such insufferable ache and grief,’ she stated.
‘A monster tried to take Athena’s voice — however we’re her voice,’ Gandy informed reporters Thursday, including: ‘Screening and hiring insurance policies should be put into place in order that monsters carrying supply uniforms do not present up on our kids’s footsteps.’
On Friday, Gandy appeared on The As we speak Present her first interview because the tragedy. She stated to ‘hug em tight,’ including, ‘you simply do not assume the ending that I bought could be an ending any mom would get.’
