The mom of Athena Strand, the 7-year-old Texas child suspected of abduction and killing by a FedEx contract driver, posted a devastating statement about her child on social media.
She goes by the name Athena Presley Monroe Strand. She was flawless from the start. She was born perfect and too lovely, Maitlyn Gandy posted on Facebook on December 4.
The mom went on to say that daddy and mother were afraid of how lovely she has always been, and they feel like they failed her. No one, including her baby, deserves what occurred to her. She continued that she adores her, yet love is insufficient. Mommy is distraught without her child.
Her name is Athena Presley Monroe Strand. She was perfect from her creation. She was born perfect and too beautiful….
Posted by Maitlyn Presley Gandy on Sunday, 4 December 2022
She also posted other images of Athena, such as ones showing her daughter riding a bicycle, caressing a rabbit, and relaxing in a spa chair.
On November 30, Athena vanished from her house in Paradise, Texas. Her corpse was discovered two days later near the city of Boyd, some 11 miles distant, after an extensive search according to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin.
According to officials, Athena died around an hour after being kidnapped.
Tanner Lynn Horner, a FedEx contract driver, was detained on capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges and is being held in a Texas prison with bonds of $1.5 million. They definitely have a confession, Akin declared at a recent press conference.
During this sad moment, their thoughts are with the Strand family. Words cannot express their shock and grief at this horrible tragedy, FedEx stated in a statement released on Twitter on December 3. They continue to fully cooperate with the investigators.
— FedEx (@FedEx) December 3, 2022
Wise County Judge J.D. Clark urged the community to wear pink on Monday, Dec. 5, in memory of Athena, in a Facebook message over the weekend.
He also urged residents to assemble at the local courthouse on December 5th to pray for Athena, her family, the first responders, and the town.
My heart is so heavy about Athena. I understand that her favorite color is pink, so I call on all of Wise County to…
Posted by County Judge J.D. Clark on Saturday, 3 December 2022
The Paradise Independent School District also paid tribute to Athena in an emotional message.
He addresses one with a sorrowful and heavy heart. They lost a valuable part of their student body, Superintendent Rod Townsend posted on the school district’s official Facebook page on December 4.
Athena Strand unfortunately died this week, he went on. This world will never be the same since she was never able to mature into the beautiful young girl she was destined to be.”
Extra counselors will also be available at the primary and intermediate schools tomorrow and for as long as required, he said.
Students, Staff and Community, It is with a sad and heavy heart that I address you. We lost a precious member of our…
Posted by Paradise Independent School District on Sunday, 4 December 2022
