HORROR IN COURT: FedEx Driver Accused Of Killing 7-Year-Old Covers Face As Jury Shown Chilling Image Of Girl Being Driven To Her Horrific Death In His Truck

A courtroom fell silent as a FedEx driver accused of abducting and killing a seven-year-old girl buried his face in his hands while jurors were shown a haunting image from the day she died.

Tanner Horner is accused of abducting young Athena Strand during a delivery to her home in Paradise, Texas, before allegedly strangling her and dumping her body miles away.

The emotional moment came as prosecutors presented a photograph showing Athena standing behind Horner inside his delivery truck, a detail that could challenge his earlier claims about how the tragedy unfolded.

Horner had initially told investigators that he accidentally struck the child with his vehicle before panicking and placing her inside the truck. He then allegedly confessed to strangling her and disposing of her body roughly seven miles from her home.

But the image shown in court appears to tell a different story.

Prosecutors argue the photo shows Athena awake and standing, raising serious questions about whether she had been hit at all.

The case took an even darker turn as Wise County District Attorney James Stainton warned jurors they would be confronted with deeply disturbing evidence.

According to Stainton, footage from the day of the killing exists, though part of it was allegedly obscured.

“Somebody covered up the camera because they don’t want you to see,” he said. “Guess what? Audio is still running, and you’re going to hear it.”

He added a chilling warning about what the jury will be exposed to, describing the audio as harrowing and unlike anything most people have ever encountered.

“And when I say it’s horrible, I mean it. I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and I promise you, buckle up.”

Horner now faces charges that could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.