Athena Strand’s grief-stricken mother makes first public comments during candlelight vigil

Paradise, TX (WBAP/KLIF) – Remembrances vigils continue for little Athena Strand who was kidnapped and killed in rural Paradise on December 30.

Last night at the First Baptist Church Cottondale thousands gathered for candlelight vigil, where Athena’s mother Maitlyn Gandy made her first public comments.

She thanked the community for their overwhelming support and said, “I don’t care if it’s 5 years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now … remember Athena Strand. “

Matt Howerton from our media partner WFAA TV was among mourners outside the church:

JUST IN: the mother of #AthenaStrand, Maitlyn Gandy, speaks publicly for the first time and thanks anyone and everyone amplifying her baby girl’s legacy.

She took the stage before the vigil and you can hear many in the crowd uplifting her. (@wfaa) pic.twitter.com/gEL0rbg8vs
— Matt Howerton (@HowertonNews) December 7, 2022

31-year old Tanner Horner of Fort Worth has confessed to abducting and killing athena while he worked delivering packages for FedEx. He’s charged with murder and aggravated kidnappping and is jailed on .5 million dollars bond.