Who is Mark Strand? Athena Strand’s grandfather says he wants to forgive murderer Tanner Lynn Horner

After the gruesome murder of Athena Strand, her grandfather Mark Strand has posted a message on his Facebook about his late granddaughter, wherein he conveys his intention to forgive Tanner Lynn Horner, who has admitted to kidnapping and later murdering Athena and now faces capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges. 

Also Read| Who is Tanner Lynn Horner, suspect in Athena Strand murder case?

Who is Mark Strand? 

Mark Strand, late Athena Strand’s grandfather, posted a long message on his facebook a day after Athena’s body was recovered in Boyd, Texas. 

The message reads, “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 further says that the voice he hears 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,” he writes.

Strand continues, “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!” 

Strand has put up a photo of Athena as his profile photo on Facebook to honor her.  

Also Read| Who are Athena Strand’s parents?

Athena Strand was a 7-year-old who was residing in North Texas with her father and stepmother. Her birth mother, Mandy Gaitlyn, is from Oklahoma, bears the custody over her but she permitted her to spend the fall semester in Texas with them, where the crime took place. 

Wise county officials have asked the residents to wear color pink, which was Athena’s favorite, on Monday. 

Several events have been scheduled to honour Athena early this week.