A former FedEx delivery driver was sentenced to death on Tuesday after pleading guilty to the 2022 murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand in Texas, a case that has drawn attention to corporate hiring practices in the logistics industry.
Tanner Horner received the death sentence from a jury following a weeks-long trial. Court proceedings included an audio recording of the girl's final moments inside Horner's delivery vehicle. Horner had been delivering a Christmas gift—a box of Barbie dolls—to the Strand family home near Fort Worth on November 30, 2022, when he kidnapped Athena. Her body was found two days later.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican officials and business groups have emphasized that this case represents the actions of a criminal individual rather than a broader industry failure. Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised law enforcement's pursuit of capital charges, stating that the death penalty serves as an appropriate consequence for those who harm children. Industry associations have argued that existing regulations require background checks and that companies should not be held liable for employees who pass initial screening but later commit crimes off-premises.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and worker safety advocates have pointed to the case as evidence of systemic failures in contractor oversight. Representative Bobby Scott of Texas stated that companies relying on contractors must be held accountable for ensuring adequate screening of employees who enter private homes. Consumer protection groups have argued that gig economy business models, which often rely on third-party staffing agencies, create gaps in accountability. The family has alleged that neither FedEx nor Big TopSpin Inc—the contractor that hired Horner—conducted a required background check before placing him in delivery positions.
What the Numbers Show
Federal motor carrier regulations require background investigations for drivers applying to transport property, including checks on criminal history within the past three years. According to court documents filed in the civil case, Horner was hired through Big TopSpin Inc, a third-party contractor that provides delivery services under FedEx's brand. The family's lawsuit alleges this hiring pathway allowed Horner to bypass standard screening protocols. Texas executed 3 people in 2025 and has carried out 580 executions since 1982, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The Bottom Line
The case now moves to civil proceedings where a jury will consider whether FedEx and Big TopSpin Inc bear financial liability for the victim's death. Horner is scheduled for execution by lethal injection at a date yet to be determined. Both companies have declined detailed comment, with FedEx stating only that thoughts remain with Athena's family.