In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I continue the heartbreaking case of 7-year-old Athena Strand. This is Part Two of a story that is as heavy as it is important. As we move forward, I walk through what happened after Athena’s disappearance, the investigation, the critical moments that unfolded, and the pieces that began to come together in a case that gripped so many people. This part of the story brings more clarity, but it also brings a deeper understanding of just how quickly lives can change forever. I approach this episode with the same care and intention, honoring Athena, respecting her family, and being mindful of the weight this story carries for listeners. From an investigative standpoint, I also share insight into how cases evolve once key information is uncovered, how law enforcement works against time, how decisions are made in real-time, and how those early hours can shape everything that follows. But even as more details emerge…I want to keep the focus where it belongs. On Athena. On her life, her light, and the love that surrounds her. This episode continues discussions of child abduction and violence. Please take care of yourself while listening, and step away if you need to. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: 00:06 Welcome to Pushing Up Lilies. I’m your host, Julie Mattson. Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, and terrifyingly true stories from my perspective as a forensic death investigator and a sexual assault nurse examiner.  00:24 Do I have some stories for you? Are you ready? Hey guys, Julie here with Pushing Up Lilies. We’re back for part two of the story of Athena Strand. It’s one week closer to Chrome-Con. I’m so excited. I am getting ready to start shipping my stuff.  00:46 I decided we’re going to fly instead of drive. Obviously, I can’t get it all in my suitcases. So, I’m going to have tons of pens and stickers and the special bloodbath soaps made just for us by Soaping Up Life here in Crumb.  01:07 She’s amazing. All of her soaps are handmade, hand-poured, and they smell delicious. This is lavender and lemongrass, and you’re going to love it. And then also I’m going to have the hoodies and the T-shirts and the canvas bags and our special poker chips.  01:25 And these are clay poker chips. So, they’re heavy. They’re great keepsakes. And I think I decided I’m going to go around to all the podcasters and collect their pins. That’s kind of something I think that I can put in my office.  01:38 It’s going to be super cool to collect. It’s just going to be fun. I have never been even as a spectator. So, I’m excited to see what it’s all about. And maybe next year I can get on Creator’s Row. I’ve applied for about three years and haven’t been able to get on, but they swear there’s no rhyme or reason that they choose podcasters, not based on how long they’ve been podcasting, but just kind of randomly.  02:07 So, I don’t know how that works. Evidently, there is no secret, but we’ll just cross our fingers for next year. I’m super excited. So, I can’t wait to go again at Caesar’s Palace, May 29th through 31st.  02:22 If you don’t have a ticket, you should go online and get it now and meet me there. So, this week again, we’re going to talk about Athena Strand. And as we know, this case is still unwinding. I do also want to cover the days in court and what has taken place during the courtroom testimony.  02:45 Again, I think when we left off, we were talking a little bit about autopsy findings and how critical that information is for prosecutors. It definitely supports the charges and clarifies the timeline and helps juries to really understand the physical reality of the crime that was committed.  03:06 Medical testimony often becomes one of the most influential elements in a trial. That’s because when the pathologist gets on the stand, they can actually describe the injuries and explain the possible cause.  03:23 News of Athena’s death spread very quickly, and the community of Paradise responded obviously with shock and sorrow. There have been a lot of vigils held to honor her memory and families gathering to support one another.  03:38 And of course, the schools have offered counseling services for the students and the staff there. But the case also received national attention because media outlets reported on the investigation and the arrest and also on the impact on the community.  03:55 Conversations about child safety and the screening of delivery drivers and community awareness emerged across the country. Public attention can bring support and pressure. Families often receive messages of sympathy, but of course they also face scrutiny.  04:18 And so, investigators have to balance transparency with the need to protect the integrity of the case. Now, following this investigation, prosecutors charged Tanner Horner with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.  04:34 And these charges reflected the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding Athena’s death. Capital murder – let’s talk a little bit about that. It’s one of the most serious charges in the criminal justice system.  04:49 It carries the possibility of life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. Now, the case moved through the legal process, including hearings and evidence review and preparation for trial. Prosecutors gathered all the information and documentation, witness testimony, forensic findings, all the things.  05:12 Defense attorneys examined the evidence and prepared their arguments. And then from a forensic perspective, the transition from investigation to courtroom is a very important phase. Evidence has to be organized and presented clearly because every detail from photographs to laboratory reports has to withstand legal scrutiny.  05:36 Now, as the months turned into years after Athena’s death, the legal process moved forward, seemed slow, but it was deliberate. That pace can be frustrating for