Tanner Horner blames alter ego in Athena Strand's murder
The lead investigator in the case said Horner lied many times and led him on a wild goose chase before taking him to the little girl’s body.
www.star-telegram.comLatest updates indicate Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to the killing of Athena Strand as his capital murder trial was about to commence, with sentencing proceedings following timing around early April 2026. The plea came alongside additional details about the case and Horner’s statements to investigators and jurors.[3][4]
Key developments to know:
- Plea and charges: Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping just as the trial was set to begin, enabling the court to move toward sentencing immediately after the guilty plea.[4]
- Court testimony and statements: Earlier in the proceedings, jurors reviewed letters Horner wrote from jail, and investigators described his statements about an “alter ego” and a failing attempt to blame others, all of which have shaped the sentencing phase.[2][5]
- Family impact and victim testimony: Throughout the trial, Athena Strand’s family testified about the devastation of her loss, influencing the moral context of the case and the push for a severe penalty.[7][8]
Context and next steps:
- Sentencing phase: With a guilty plea in place, jurors will decide on the appropriate punishment, including whether Horner should receive life in prison or the death penalty, based on aggravating factors and evidence presented during the trial.[4][7]
- Public updates: Multiple outlets are providing real-time coverage of courtroom developments, including statements from Athena Strand’s family and further legal arguments by prosecutors and Horner’s defense.[8][7]
If you’d like, I can summarize the key court documents or compile a timeline of the major filings and testimonies from this case. I can also pull the latest local updates from specific outlets you trust.