Athena Strand: Mom Maitlyn Gandy calls slain girl, 7, ‘Viking princess’, shares pics of her pink open casket

Athena Strand: Texans to wear pink to honor 7-year-old girl kidnapped and killed by FedEx driver

Athena Strand's grandfather says he 'forgives' her killer Tanner Horner in heartbreaking post

"Now that this part is over, Jacob and I, as well as Athena’s entire family would like to thank Trey with SoulShine Industries. You helped us capture our Viking Princess in a way we didn’t think possible," she wrote on Facebook. "Trey and his wife are truly friends for life. You guys are very talented, kind, amazing humans Athena looked very comfortable in her bed."  Gandy captioned the post along with a carousel of photos of the casket. 

"*For those asking, SoulShine industries custom made her eternal bed for her funeral services. He made it in such a way I will be able to take it home and use it as a memory chest for Athena. Athena has been cremated and will also be coming home where she belongs with me. We had a funeral because Athena was suddenly taken and no one in her family wanted to miss the opportunity to say goodbye,*" concluded the mother.

Athena's alleged killer, Tanner Horner was arrested and is currently being held at Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. During the inquiry, Horner, a contract FedEx driver said he accidentally hit Athena with his truck while delivering the packages. He confessed that he worried Athena would tell her dad about being hit, which panicked him. But the seven-year-old was not injured by the impact of the truck. He told investigators he panicked and put her in the back of her truck. Horner then allegedly tried to break the seven-year-old's neck but it did not work so he strangled her with his bare hands in the back of his FedEx van. His bond is set for $1.5 million.