Jurors also heard about DNA and video evidence. Watch video from the trial here and follow Star-Telegram.com for updates.

Athena Strand's mother will be able to address her daughter's killer directly.

What to Know The trial will be livestreamed and live blogged in this article. The judge has warned that the trial will include graphic testimony and video. NBC 5 has decided to cut away from particularly graphic parts of the testimony.

The letters—including one to Athena Strand’s family—were found in Tanner Horner’s jail cell after he made a suicide attempt.

Jurors in a Texas courtroom are now hearing chilling new details about the man who admitted to killing 7-year-old Athena

At the same time, the former FedEx driver appeared to make light of Athena Strand's death and joked about selling the story for $1 million.

In a letter found in Tanner Horner's jail cell several months after Athena Strand was killed, he told her family he was sorry and asked for forgiveness.

Testimony continues Tuesday in the punishment phase for Tanner Horner, who was convicted of killing 7-year-old Athena Strand.

Part of a letter that Tanner Horner wrote to the family of Athena Strand when Horner attempted suicide at the Wise County Jail in May 2023. The letter was shown on Monday, April 13, 2026, to the jurors who will decide Horner’s punishment for the capital murder of 7-year-old Athena. Wise County Sheriff’s Office

Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to the 2022 killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand just as his capital murder trial was set to begin.

Killer FedEx driver Tanner Horner revealed the chilling final words he told 7-year-old Athena Strand before strangling her inside his delivery truck and dumping her body in a creek near her Texas home.