Athena Strand's grandfather says he has forgiven her killer Tanner Horner in an emotional post

Athena Strand, a 7-year-old child who was allegedly abducted and killed by a FedEx driver, was grandfathered by a man who says he forgives the man who killed his granddaughter. The little girl, who was the target of an Amber Alert, vanished on November 30 from her father's home in Paradise, Texas. The kid's body was located in Wise County on Friday, December 2, two days later. Just one day after her body was discovered, her grandfather, Mark Strand, made a statement. Police discovered the youngster had been killed after being abducted by Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, a FedEx driver who was dropping off a box at the victim's home. In connection with the murder of Athena, Horner is charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. Horner confessed to the crime when questioned, according to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin. On Saturday, December 3, Mark Strand wrote an emotive obituary about his sorrow and his process of forgiving the murderer. "This man I am, is angry and I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the psycho that took our Athena away from us, but there's a soft gentle voice in the back of my head telling me I need to forgive him," Strand wrote. He added that he believes that voice is God. "If I allow this hate to consume me, that voice will fade and eventually be silenced. Then that ugly spirit of hate will have succeeded and that’s why this gentle voice persists to tell me I need to forgive this man," according to Fox News Leaning on his faith, the heartbroken father shared, "There’s not one ounce of my flesh that wants to do this or say this, but my spirit has heard God’s voice, and right now, while tears flood my eyes, I declare publicly that I forgive this man!" asserted Strand. Meanwhile, residents throughout Texas and school districts are urged to honor Athena by wearing her favorite color pink on Monday. "My heart is so heavy about Athena," Wise County Judge JD Clark said in a statement. "... Additionally, I encourage everyone to join me at 6:30pm on Monday on the Courthouse steps to pray for Athena, her family, our first responders and our community."