Latest short world news today, December 5

Wise County Judge JD Clark is encouraging residents to wear pink this Monday in honor of 7-year-old Athena Strand, who is believed to have been kidnapped and killed last week by a Fed-Ex driver.

“My heart is so heavy for Athena. I understand that her favorite color is pink, so I am asking all of Wise County to wear pink this Monday. Also, I encourage everyone to join me Monday at 6:30 p.m. on the courthouse steps to pray for Athena, her family, our first responders, and our community,” Clark wrote on his Facebook account. .

Robert Townsend, the superintendent of the Paradise Independent School District in Wise County, said in another Facebook post that additional counselors would be available on elementary and middle school campuses Monday.

Several Texas school districts encouraged their students to wear pink this Monday.

Even Oklahomans were encouraging people to wear pink for Athena. The Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service also posted on Facebook, “We can’t seem to find words. Please join us in showing your support for this family by participating in Pink Out this Monday, December 5th. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy.”

Elsewhere in Wise County, Texas, Cottondale Baptist Church announced plans for a candlelight vigil for Athena Strand on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. local time.

What is known about the case

A driver working for FedEx was arrested and charged Friday with the kidnapping and murder of a 7-year-old girl who went missing from the driveway of her Texas home earlier this week, police said.

Athena Strand’s body was recovered Friday night, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said at a news conference.

“It hurts our hearts to know that that girl died,” Akin said Friday.

“It is one of the most difficult investigations I have ever been involved in because it is a child. And every time there is a child that dies, it hits your heart,” she said.

Athena was reported missing on Wednesday of the week and authorities began a search throughout Wise County, located northwest of Fort Worth. Authorities believe the girl was killed within an hour of her abduction in her family’s driveway, which is about 200 yards from her home.

Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is being held in the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping, according to his website. Bail was set at $1.5 million, Akin said. It was not clear if Horner had an attorney Friday.

Horner, identified by authorities as a contract driver for FedEx, was allegedly making a delivery to Athena’s home at the time she went missing.

The previous Friday, police say they received a tip that helped investigators determine that Horner abducted the girl from her driveway.