Tanner Horner Sentenced to Death for the Murder of Athena Strand | True Crime News

Summary

Crime House 24/7
Episode Title: Tanner Horner Sentenced to Death for the Murder of Athena Strand | True Crime News
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: May 7, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Crime House 24/7 is anchored by the breaking development in the trial of Tanner Horner, the former FedEx driver convicted and sentenced to death for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand in North Texas. Host Vanessa Richardson covers the intense details of the case, the harrowing events surrounding Athena's disappearance, the trial proceedings, and the emotional responses from family, law enforcement, and the jury. The episode encapsulates themes of justice, community impact, and the haunting reality for the victim's family.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Sentencing and Immediate Aftermath

• Tanner Lynn Horner was sentenced to death on Tuesday, May 5, by a Tarrant County jury (04:11).
• Jury deliberated for less than three hours before delivering the unanimous verdict; no visible reaction from Horner as the sentence was read.
• Horner, now on Texas death row, awaits execution by lethal injection. Execution date TBD.

“The sentencing came after a month of heartbreaking and disturbing testimony that left some jurors in tears.” (00:30)

2. Case Background: The Disappearance of Athena Strand

• On November 30, 2022, Horner was working as a contract FedEx delivery driver in Paradise, TX (about 30 miles NW of Fort Worth), when he encountered Athena.
• The package he delivered contained Christmas presents for Athena, addressed to her stepmother, Ashley Strand.
• Athena disappeared after Horner left. Ashley called 911 at 6:41pm after failing to locate her; initially thinking Athena was hiding.

“When helicopters started flying over the property, she told the court, it started to sink in that something was wrong.” (06:06)

• Massive community search ensued (300+ people), but Athena’s body was found two days later, 12-13 miles away.

3. Investigation and Arrest

• Surveillance footage placed Horner’s van at the Strand home at the time of disappearance.
• During interrogation, Horner initially claimed he accidentally struck Athena with his van and killed her in a panic, fearing she’d tell her father.
• Prosecutors later revealed this account was a lie; Athena was uninjured when Horner put her in the van.

4. Horner’s Claims and Psychological Defense

• Horner invoked an alternate persona, “Zero,” saying Zero was the true perpetrator – an effort described as an evasion, not a sign of dissociative identity disorder (09:33).
• Texas Ranger Sgt. Hob Espinosa described Horner’s shifts into the “Zero” persona as deliberate performance.

Espinosa: “His head goes into a sideways motion, his eyes roll into the back of the head, and he pretends to turn it to Zero.” (09:50)

• Both prosecution and defense experts agreed: Zero was a tool Horner used to tell his story, not a genuine alternate personality.

5. Evidence and Testimony

• Investigators engaged with the “Zero” persona to extract the location of Athena's body.
• The trial featured graphic testimony from family, forensic specialists, mental health professionals, and victims of past alleged assaults by Horner.
• Horner’s cousin “Billy” testified Horner had sexually assaulted him as a child (12:02).

Billy: “The fact that he killed a kid and the truth needs to be told.” (12:15)

• Jurors viewed unreleased surveillance footage and heard audio from Horner’s van. Footage included Athena asking, “Are you a kidnapper?” and crying for her mother (13:20). Several jurors openly wept.

6. Defense Arguments

• Defense presented Horner’s history of autism, PTSD, severe depression, and ADHD.
• Horner wrote jailhouse letters blaming a mental breakdown, even claiming an unidentified man forced him to kill Athena.

7. Jury’s Rationale and Verdict

• Jury answered two key questions:
  1. Does Horner pose a continuing threat to society? — Yes.
  2. Are there mitigating circumstances justifying life in prison over death? — No.
• Both answers returned unanimously within 3 hours of deliberation (16:01).

8. Impact on Athena’s Family

• Athena’s mother, Maitland Gandy, described the trauma of identifying her daughter’s bruised body.

Maitland Gandy: “Because I had to cover up handprint bruises around my daughter’s neck and because she no longer has a voice. I want people to know that she’s not just some story.” (16:50)

• Athena’s stepmother and father shared stories of Athena's vibrant personality and love of the outdoors, unicorns, and Barbies.

Jacob Strand: “What he missed most about his daughter was her spirit and her laugh. She loved everybody.” (16:30)

• Following sentencing, Athena’s uncle, Elijah Strand, delivered a powerful victim impact statement:

Elijah Strand (addressing Horner): “You took a little girl who trusted the world and repaid that innocence with violence. You chose to cause pain that will last for generations. … You are a footnote in Athena’s story. Her name will forever be remembered…and everyone will forget you.” (17:30)

• Maitland Gandy intends to honor her daughter's legacy through the nonprofit Athena Strand’s Army.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On law enforcement’s interrogation strategy:

  Sgt. Espinosa: “I played his game, and I spoke to Zero. Ultimately, it’s about locating Athena and getting the truth and whatever he wants to be called, I’m willing to do that, as long as it means actually getting to the truth.” (11:36)

• On Horner’s repeated lies:

  Wise County DA James Stayton: “The only truthful thing that Tanner Horner told law enforcement was that he killed her.” (08:18)

  “He [Horner] told… ‘lie upon lie upon lie upon lie’ to investigators throughout the case.” (08:39)

• Nature of Athena’s last moments:

  Prosecutors: “The first thing Horner said to Athena when he placed her in the truck was, ‘don’t scream or I’ll hurt you.’ He said it twice.” (09:01)

• On the jury’s emotional response:

  “Several jurors openly sobbed. In the footage, Athena is heard asking Horner if he is a kidnapper and crying for her mother.” (13:20)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Breaking news: Death sentence for Tanner Horner announced | | 04:11 | Jury deliberation and Horner’s sentencing | | 06:06 | Athena’s disappearance and initial community search | | 08:18 | DA James Stayton exposes Horner’s lies | | 09:01 | Prosecutors describe Horner’s threats to Athena | | 09:33 | Horner introduces “Zero” persona | | 09:50 | Sgt. Espinosa describes “Zero” performance | | 11:36 | Espinosa explains his interrogation approach | | 12:02 | Testimony from Horner’s cousin “Billy” on prior abuse | | 13:20 | Courtroom watches disturbing van footage, jurors in tears | | 16:01 | Jury’s verdict: No mitigating circumstances, death penalty chosen | | 16:30-17:00| Athena’s family recalls her life, joy, and personality | | 17:30 | Elijah Strand’s victim impact statement |

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Takeaways and Tone

Vanessa Richardson details the relentless pursuit of justice for Athena Strand, presenting the case with respect, urgency, and compassion for the victim’s family. The narrative is sensitive, avoiding sensationalism but conveying the full scope of legal, emotional, and societal impact. The episode stands out for its somber acknowledgment of the enduring pain caused by such crimes and the importance of community action and remembrance.

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Transcript

[A]

Hi listeners, it's Vanessa Richardson. Real quick, before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show from Crime House that I know you'll love. America's Most Infamous Crimes. Hosted by Katie Ring. Each week, Katie takes on one of the most notorious criminal cases in American history. Serial killers who terrorized cities, unsolved mysteries that keep detectives up at night, and investigations that that change the way we think about justice. Listen to and follow America's Most Infamous crimes Tuesday through Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to podcasts. This is Crime House. Good morning everyone. We have multiple breaking true crime cases this morning that you need to know about. And we're starting starting with the biggest one. A North Texas jury has sentenced a former FedEx driver to death for the kidnapping and murder of 7 year old Athena Strand, a little girl he encountered while delivering a package to her home. The sentencing came after a month of heartbreaking and disturbing testimony that left some jurors in tears. This is Crime House 24 7, your nonstop source for the biggest crime cases developing right now. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Vanessa Richardson and we have have quite a lineup for you today. Here's what you need to know. Lately I've been trying to take the stress out of getting dressed. Just focusing on pieces that feel easy, comfortable and still put together without a lot of effort. That's really what's been pulling me toward Quince. Their stuff just fits that effortless everyday vibe. I love their fabrics, linens, cottons, cashmere. They're all the highest quality and they feel so good. Their design is also simple in the best way. Clean silhouettes, neutral tones and pieces that don't require a ton of styling to feel finished. I've been reaching for their staples a lot because they make it easy to get out the door quickly while still feeling like everything's intentional. And the fit tends to feel really natural, like the clothes are made to actually be lived in. I grabbed a few things thinking they'd be just basic fill ins, but they've ended up becoming some of the most worn pieces in my rotation. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quint.com crimehouse24.7 for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com crimehouse247 for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com crimehouse247 okay, a note before we begin this story. It involves the kidnapping and murder of a child and contains details that some listeners may find deeply distressing. We've chosen to report only what is necessary to tell this story accurately and to honor Athena Strand. Please listen with care. On Tuesday, May 5, a Tarrant county jury sentenced Tanner Lynn Horner to death for the 2022 murder of seven year old Athena Strand. The jury deliberated for less than three hours. When Judge George Gallagher read the verdict, Horner did not visibly react. Horner will spend the rest of his life on Texas death row, awaiting execution by lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. No date has been set yet. After more than three years, of the Strand family finally had an answer. 34 year old Horner had been a contract delivery driver working for FedEx on November 30, 2022, the day that changed everything. He was making deliveries in the rural town of Paradise, Texas, about 30 miles northwest of Fort Worth, when he pulled into the driveway of the Strand family home. The package in his truck was addressed to Athena's stepmother, Ashley Strand. Inside were Barbie dolls, Christmas presents meant for Athena. 7 year old Athena had been in a converted storage shed that served as her and her sister's bedroom sorting laundry. When Horner's van pulled away from the driveway, she was gone. Ashley Strand called 911 at 6:41pm after she couldn't find the little girl. She had assumed Athena was simply hiding. When helicopters started flying over the property, she told the court, it started to sink in that something was wrong. About 300 people turned out the following morning with dogs, horses and four wheelers to help search. Athena's body was found two days later on December 2, face down in a creek at Bobo's Crossing, 12 to 13 miles from her home. Horner was identified through surveillance footage showing his van at the Strand driveway at the exact time Athena disappeared. He was arrested and during interrogation told investigators he had accidentally struck Athena with his van while backing out of the driveway. He said she appeared to survive the impact, but that he panicked, put her in the back of the van and killed her because he was afraid she would tell her father he had hit her. That account began to collapse almost immediately. At trial, Wise County District Attorney James Stayton told jurors, quote, the only truthful thing that Tanner Horner told law enforcement was that he killed her, end quote. He said Horner had told, quote, lie upon lie upon lie upon lie to investigators throughout the case. Prosecutors told the jury that Horner's account that he accidentally struck Athena with his van and panicked was a lie. Staten told jurors that Athena was uninjured when Horner put her into the vehicle. According to prosecutors, the first thing Horner said to Athena when he placed her in the truck was, quote, don't scream or I'll hurt you, end quote. He said it twice. The attack inside the van lasted approximately an hour before he killed her. Throughout police interviews, Horner repeatedly invoked an alternate identity he called Zero, claiming it was Zero, not him, who was responsible for what happened to Athena. In what investigators described as an attempt to distance himself from responsibility, Texas ranger sergeant Hob Espinosa, who led the interrogation, described watching Horner's demeanor physically change when he shifted into the Zero Persona. He said, quote, his head goes into a sideways motion, his eyes roll into the back of the head, and he pretends to turn it to Zero, end quote. Horner described Zero as a, quote, little devil on my shoulder, and repeatedly said, I didn't do this. But he did. Horner told investigators that when Zero takes over, it feels like he's in the backseat of a car being driven by someone else. Other times, like he's in the trunk. Prosecutors and the defense's own experts ultimately agreed that Zero was not a genuine multiple personality disorder. A psychologist who reviewed Horner for the defense described Zero as a tool Horner used to tell the story of the crime, not a symptom of a diagnosable condition. A speech language pathologist who evaluated him said his evaluation was one of the worst she had ever conducted in terms of empathy and social appropriateness, and under cross examination, conceded that the violence captured in the abduction footage was, quote, shocking and horrific. Investigators were only able to locate Athena's body after Ranger Espinosa changed tactics and began engaging with Horner directly. As Zero Espinosa testified, quote, I played his game, and I spoke to Zero. Ultimately, it's about locating Athena and getting the truth and whatever he wants to be called, I'm willing to do that, as long as it means actually getting to the truth, end quote. The trial, which spanned nearly a month, included testimony from Athena's family, forensic experts, mental health professionals, and two women who said Horner had sexually assaulted them when they were minors. A surprise rebuttal witness, Horner's own cousin, identified in court only as Billy, testified that Horner had sexually assaulted him when he was 10 years old. Billy said he came forward for one reason, quote, the fact that he killed a kid and the truth needs to be told. Jurors also watched Surveillance footage captured inside Horner's delivery van, footage that has not been released publicly, and heard audio from inside the vehicle. Courtroom attendees were warned about the material and given an opportunity to leave. Several jurors openly sobbed, robbed. In the footage, Athena is heard asking Horner if he is a kidnapper and crying for her mother during the punishment phase. The defense presented testimony about Horner's mental health history, including a diagnosis of autism, ptsd, severe depression and adhd, and called witnesses from his family, including his mother, to speak about his upbringing. Horner wrote letters from jail, including one blaming a, quote, mental breakdown and another, in a particularly striking detail, claiming. Claiming an unidentified man had forced him to commit the crime. The jury was asked to answer two questions. First, does Horner pose a continuing threat to society? They said yes. Second, are there mitigating circumstances that would warrant life in prison rather than death? They said no unanimously on both counts and in less than three hours of deliberation for a trial that lasted nearly a month. Athena's mother, Maitland Gandy, delivered testimony during trial and described learning her daughter was missing. She said she felt like she was dying. Images of Athena shown in court captured a little girl who was playful and joyful and deeply loved her stepmother. Ashley Strand described her as, quote, wild. A kid who loved running around in the country. Athena Strand loved frozen unicorns, mermaids, and, in her father Jacob's words, quote, getting dirty. He described a favorite memory, finding her filling up a horse trough with water so she could swim in it with her toys and Barbies, wearing her dress and cowgirl boots. He said what he missed most about his daughter was her spirit and her laugh. He said, quote, she loved everybody. Maitland Gandy told the jury she had attended every pre trial hearing since Horner's arrest for one reason. She said, quote, because I had to cover up handprint bruises around my daughter's neck and because she no longer has a voice. I want people to know that she's not just some story. End quote. After the trial, Gandy said her focus would turn to honoring Athena's legacy through her non profit Athena Strand's Army. Tanner Horner will spend the rest of his life on Texas death row waiting for a date that has not yet been set. Following the sentencing, Athena's uncle, Elijah Strand delivered a victim impact statement addressing Horner directly. His words in full were more powerful than any single line can capture. He said, quote, you did not just take a life, you destroyed a family. You took a little girl who trusted the world and repaid that innocence with violence. You chose to cause pain that will last for generations. You will be judged. You will face the wrath of God. And I want you to know that you are nothing. You are a footnote in Athena's story. Her name will forever be remembered. Her name will forever be celebrated and everyone will forget you. End quote. From North Texas, we go to Houston, where a man accused of strangling his pregnant wife was supposed to be in court Tuesday morning and wasn't because he was already in Italy. There's never been a better time to get outside and experience the benefits of nature, discover nearby trails and explore the outdoors with alltrails. Download the free app today and find your outside she loves it freezing. She loves it hot. The pod by eight Sleep ends the argument for good with independent temperature zones

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Try [e-mail] Lee Mongerson Gilly, a Houston man charged with the murder of his pregnant wife, was supposed to be in court on Tuesday morning. His trial was scheduled to begin May 29. But when a bailiff called his name three times in the hallway, there was no answer. He was more than 5,000 miles away in Milan, Italy, in the custody of Italian authorities who had detained him after his identification raised red flags at the airport. Prosecutors learned where he was from the FBI 39 year old Gilly is charged with capital murder in the October 2024 death of his wife, Christa Bauer Gilly, who was nine weeks pregnant at the time of her death. He has pleaded not guilty. The couple had two small children and lived in the Heights neighborhood of Houston. On the night of Krista's death, Gilly called 911 and told dispatchers his wife had attempted suicide by overdosing on drugs. He said he was performing CPR when he called. When Krista arrived at the hospital, staff immediately noticed bruising and apparent trauma to her face. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled her death a homicide and the cause of death was listed as compression of the neck. In other words, she'd been strangled. Gilly was arrested in October 2024 and charged with murder. He was released on a one million dollar bond. Over the following months, the case against Gilly built in ways that extended well beyond the night Krista died. Investigators say Gilly later admitted that he and Krista had argued in the hours before her death and that she was not suicidal and was not a drug user. Court documents alleged that in 2025, while out on bond awaiting trial, Gilly began discussing flee the country with a woman he'd been having an affair with since 2023. According to prosecutors, quote, the defendant also inquired as to whether she knew of a Mexican identity he could acquire to facilitate his departure from the country, end quote. Prosecutors allege Gilly also developed a detailed plan to remove his GPS ankle monitor and considered entering a sham marriage to obtain a new identity. Three weeks before he disappeared, prosecutors filed paperwork in court laying out exact those allegations. Then, on Friday, May 1, at approximately 9pm Gilly's ankle monitor sent a, quote, strap tamper alert. Pre trial services, following their own protocol, did not notify the court until Monday morning, the next business day. By then, Gilly was gone. He had surrendered his passport as a condition of his bond. But prosecutors say he used fake travel documents to leave the United States. He flew from Texas to Canada, then boarded a FL to Italy. When he landed at the airport in Milan, Italian authorities did not believe his identification. He was taken into custody. According to his attorney, Dick Deurin, a prominent Houston defense lawyer who's previously represented clients including Robert Durst, Gilly told Italian authorities he was seeking asylum because he was being, quote, wrongfully prosecuted and feared the death penalty. The FBI's office in Rome was contacted to verify his identity. Prosecutor Lauren Bard told the court she received a call from the FBI around 12:30pm Monday confirming Gilly was in Italian custody. A judge revoked Gilly's $1 million bond. His capital murder trial, previously set for May 29, has been rescheduled to June 5, though that date could shift depending on when he's returned to the United States and whether either side needs additional time. Extradition proceedings are underway, but they face a complication. Italy, like many European nation, requires assurances that an individual will not face the death penalty before agreeing to extradite, and Gilly is charged with capital murder. Texas officials may need to formally certify they will not seek the death penalty before Italy will release him. Deguarin, speaking publicly after Tuesday's court appearance, offered his own read on his client's state of mind. He said, quote, I'm concerned that the prosecution will try to say that it's evidence of consciousness, of guilt that he's running from it, but I think he's just scared, end quote. Andy Khan of Crime Stoppers of Houston pointed to the gap between the Friday night ankle monitor alert and the Monday notification to the court saying, quote, I wish I could say it was an anomaly, but it's par for the course. That information should be accessible when you snap your fingers, and particularly when a defendant is on a $1 million bond for capital murder. With an ankle monitor. And the ankle monitor gets removed. No, that needs to be done asap, end quote. Judge Peyton Peebles, who presided over Tuesday's hearing, suggested pre trial services reconsider whether their notification protocol should account for the risk level of specific offenses. Extradition proceedings are active as of now and prosecutors have made clear they intend to use his flight to Italy as evidence of consciousness of guilt when the case finally reaches a jury. Stay with us on crime house 24 7. We'll continue to follow the Gilley case as it develops. Yo, it's Jay USO from wwe and I'm Jimmy Uso. Chumba Casino and WWE are hyped for

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Taking them out. It's my only chance. Put a bullet in her head. From the co Creator of Ozark. Looks like a family was running drugs. Execution style killing. It's rare for the Keys. Any leads on who they might have been running for? The cartel killed my family. I'm gonna kill them. All of them. Mia streaming now only on Peacock. In the suburbs of D.C. a woman fails to show up for work and is found brutally murdered. 911, what's emergency? We just walked in the door and there's blood in the 40 here. For the next two decades, the case remained unsolved until new technology allowed investigators to do what had once been impossible. A new series from ABC Audio in 2020, blood and water. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, before you go, I also host another show right here at Crime House and I want to make sure you're up to speed today on Serial Killers and Murderous Minds with me and my co Host, forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Eng. We're covering part two of the Killing Curse, Hex Hollow. In 1920s Pennsylvania, folk magic and Christian faith existed side by side. And for John Blymire, a man tormented by mysterious illnesses since childhood, the line between healing and darkness was about to disappear. John Blymire set out to Break a curse. But what happened inside Nelson Rehmeyer's farmhouse was went far beyond anything he or his young accomplices had planned. We unpack how a mission to steal a lock of hair spiraled into a brutal murder that made international headlines. The Hex Hollow case forced a community to confront the deadly consequences of belief taken to its extreme. We grabbed a clip from today's episode. Take a listen and if you like what you hear, don't forget to follow serial killers and murderous minds wherever you listen. Nelson. By the fall of 1928, 34 year old John Blymire believed that his lifelong suffering and illness was the result of a curse which had been placed on him by 60 year old Nelson Rehmeyer. Nelson was a well respected hexenmeister or witch doctor in their hometown of York County, Pennsylvania. John had known Nelson his entire life. He couldn't understand why Nelson would want to harm Henry him. But he was desperate to break the curse and he'd finally learned how to break it once and for all. Another local healer, Emma Noll, had told John he either needed to bury a lock of Nelson's hair or burn one of his spiritual texts called Long Lost Friend. John knew that would be hard to do undetected. To do either of those, John would have to go to Nelson's house and get in close quarters with him. So he enlisted the help of 18 year old Wilbert Hess and 14 year old John Curry. Wilbur was the son of a local man, Milton Hess, who believed his family had also been cursed by Nelson and Curry was John's protege. The first step in their plan was to suss out whether Nelson could put up a fight and to try and locate Long lost friend. Once they knew what they were up against, they'd come back to get either his hair or the book. So on November 26, 1928, John and Curry made their way to Nelson's home. The area where Nelson lived was a remote part of York county called Rehmeyer's Hollow. And it was hard to navigate. It was full of trees, a few farms and little else.

[B]

So that remoteness matters psychologically because it can suggest there is physical separation that coincides with the social separation that John already has been suspicious of with Nelson. And for someone like John, who's already operating outside of what many would consider rational boundaries, being in a remote hollow where there's no witnesses and no accountability for what he's preparing to do might feel like permission to him or something even more significant than that. Within his belief system it may feel Like a sign. And going back to the black and white thinking we discussed in episode one, there's also moral disengagement here. John has already justified this mission in his mind. He's not doing something wrong. He's the one who's been wronged. He is breaking a curse and restoring balance. And he's already reframed Nelson from a community member into someone with malicious intent for the community, which makes acting against him feel justified to him. So this black and white thinking connects directly to all of that. It's very rigid thinking. If Nelson is responsible and John is justified in his mind, then there's nothing for him to really wrestle with. And if this Hollow exists outside of the boundaries of his community, then by that same logic, the moral or legal rules of that community might not also follow him there either.

[A]

As John made his way out there, he fantasized about what it would feel like to finally get rid of the curse. However, he had to pay close attention to where he was driving in order to avoid getting turned around. But as he made his way through the narrow, forested road, John realized he had a problem. He had no idea which house was Nelson's. The Rehemeyer family had lived in the Hollow for generations, and multiple people's homes were scattered throughout it. John Nelson didn't want to spook anyone by showing up at the wrong house. However, he knew that Nelson's estranged wife, Alice, still lived in the Hollow, and he knew where her house was. So he and Curry went there instead. They knocked on the door, and when Alice opened up, they asked where they could find her husband. Alice wasn't surprised by this at all. A lot of people came to Nelson for help. In fact, the whole reason Alice had left him was because she got tired of all the people filing in and out of their house house. So she assumed John and Curry were customers, and she gave them directions to Nelson's home. They thanked her and continued deeper into the Hollow. When they finally arrived, Nelson welcomed them in and even invited them to stay the night, which they agreed to.

[B]

The choice to stay the night was most likely practical. I mean, we taught. You talked about that earlier. They were going to suss it out, see what Nelson was like. So if you think about it, it buys them time to do just that. To scope out the home, see if they can locate the book, or at least build Nelson's trust. So they can either get close enough to him to obtain a lock of his hair, or at the very least, they have all three of them there. Which means they can branch off and cover more ground at the same time. For John, staying in the home of the man he believes cursed him requires a degree of psychological strength. John's been struggling with identity, worth and self concept for some time, which we discussed in episode one that night may have made him feel more in control, more superior and more powerful than he had in years. Especially because he's got two younger individuals who are looking up to him. This reinforces that. So I think it was a practical decision like you outlined, and likely part of their strategy. But there could also be more to it as well. It's really hard to say.

[A]

In the last episode, we talked about how trust functions in a traditional society and especially York County. They put so much trust in their local healers. How do you think Nelson perceived this visit? Do you think he saw any reason not to trust them?

[B]

I'm so glad you brought this up, because my first instinct was exactly this. You think that if someone truly cursed people and then a group of them showed up on their doorstep, the last thing that they would likely do is let them into their home, let alone offer to let them spend the night. Especially when you consider how remote the area is and that he was outnumbered. The fact that he did exactly that tells me he had no reason to distrust these men. He likely believed they were genuinely seeking his services and that nothing was out of the ordinary. And if you recall, John's family had come to Nelson before for help. What makes this so tragic is that Nelson's own character, like his openness, his generosity, and his desire to help people, which had already potentially affected his marriage, was what worked against him here. They preyed on his kindness, and they did not stop to consider that his kindness was actually genuine. And his pattern of behavior that night does not appear to align with someone who is guilty of causing harm to these men.

[A]

The three of them sat down and chatted late into the night. While it's not clear exactly what they talked about, John spent the whole time sizing Nelson up. Nelson was a tall, husky guy. At 6ft tall, he towered over the two others. And even at 60, he was in good shape. Shape? John realized if they were going to steal a lock of Nelson's hair, they might have their work cut out for them. And as John glanced around the house, he also realized that finding Nelson's copy of Long Lost Friend wouldn't be easy either. He didn't see the book anywhere. Eventually, the three of them went off to bed, and the next morning, John and Curry went home and told Wilbert how difficult Their mission would be. Fortunately for them, Wilbur was a pretty big guy as well. So the group felt like with him added into the mix, the three of them could overpower Nelson. That same day, November 27, 1928, the trio drove back out to Rehmeyer's hollow. This time, John brought 25ft of rope to bind Nelson with. But he promised Wilbert and Curry that their goal remained the same, to obtain one of the items needed to end the curse.

[B]

We know that this plan was premeditated even the first time that they went there. But this time around, with 25ft of rope, that suggests a refined, even potential escalation of that plan. And that tells us us something about where John was psychologically at this point. There is a degree of organized thinking here. He identified a problem, he's recruited help, he assessed the target fully already, and then he came prepared with a contingency. That's not the behavior of someone who has completely lost touch with reality. This suggests that John is still capable of planning and anticipating obstacles. But whether or not he genuinely believes that the plan remains the same, that they get Nelson's hair or his book, while bringing Roque along just in case is something that is difficult to say. But bringing the rope alone certainly elevates the risk for violence because it shifts the power balance, it escalates the stakes, and it changes the psychological threshold of this entire plan. And let's not forget from episode one, John once tried to kill his wife. He is capable of violence.

[A]

Why do you think Wilburd and Curry didn't even question him?

[B]

I think the answer to that is likely a combination of things. So for Curry, we already discussed that dynamic in episode one. He came from an unstable home, and John became the authority figure or mentor that he attached to. Standing up to John would mean risking the only stable relationship that he likely had at that time. And he's only 14. That makes him particularly susceptible to John's influence and perhaps even more vulnerable in that dynamic because it resembles grooming. Although arguably the same can be said about both of them, both Wilbert and Kurti, because both of them don't have fully formed frontal lobes. But also they had all been inside Nelson's home at this point. They had attempted their plan. They were unable to locate the book, and they had seen Nelson's size for themselves. The reality of overpowering him to obtain a lock of his hair had become very clear to them. In that context, the rope would have made logical sense as a restraining tool. And less alarming to them when it's framed as safety measure. And if they genuinely believed they had already been harmed by Nelson, or at least, you know, Wilbert's dad was harmed by Nelson, they would have been willing to accept any idea that reduced the risk of further harm. So the group dynamic compounds all of that too. John was the assumed leader. He's carrying both perceived spiritual authority and the credibility of having recruited them as well. He's also the mentor. And in that kind of dynamic, it's unlikely they will go against him even when the situation is escalating in ways that should make someone hesitate or back out.

[A]

When the group arrived at Nelson's house, John was still extremely agitated. He strode to the front door and knocked briskly from inside. Nelson called out, who's there? And John replied, saying he forgot a book at Nelson's house the previous day. Nelson came downstairs, unlocked the door, and let the three of them into his living room to have a look around. At some point, Nelson turned away, maybe to brew some tea for his guests. When he wasn't looking, John rushed toward him, threw his arms around him and shouted for the others to come help. Wilbur and Curry sprung into action, wrestling Nelson to the floor. Once he was down, John told them to tie Nelson's legs with the rope they'd brought. But Nelson was too fast and he escaped their clutches. However, he was still on the ground when Wilbur and Curry started kicking him. And in that moment, Jon noticed a pile of firewood. He grabbed a log and smashed it against Nelson's head again and again, and he only got more violent from there. John then grabbed a wooden chair and slammed it on top of Nelson, sending wood chips flying across the road room. The original plan to get a lock of hair now felt like a distant memory. Nelson tried to fight off his attackers, but he was getting weaker by the second. Finally, Wilbur and Curry managed to restrain him. But once that was done, Jon still wasn't satisfied. Fury rose in his chest as he grabbed the remaining piece of rope, tied it into a noose and placed it around Nelson's neck. Then he told Curry to choke Nelson. Nelson. And that's exactly what the 14 year old did. In a matter of minutes, Nelson Rehmeyer was dead.

[B]

So remember from episode one when we talked about how powerful desperation can be? When someone feels that they have nothing to lose or they have no other options, Thinking narrows and behavioral restraints are reduced. So for John, everything had failed. The medical and psychiatric system failed him. The Hexenmeisters failed him. His family was gone. His health had never recovered. He went to Nelson's with a plan the first time, and it failed. Now he's gone back and he came prepared with a revised plan that he likely believed would resolve everything. And now it was unraveling again in real time in front of him. That's when desperation kicks in. Because if Nelson escaped, it would have felt like the final door closing on him. At least a final door to a resolution. And what's particularly interesting is that he didn't do it himself. He directed Curry to. To do it. That detail suggests that John maintained enough presence of mind to orchestrate rather than act directly. It's also very predatory because Curry's 14 years old. Curry doesn't know right from wrong in the way that an adult does. He doesn't have a fully formed prefrontal cortex. He doesn't understand judgment and reasoning or rational decision making and problem solving in the way that John's brain can do. That raises its own questions about what was driving in that moment as well. Was it calculated control? Was it the diffusion of responsibility we also talked about in episode one? Or was this really his plan all

[A]

along when John was sent to jail for attempting to kill his wife? Do you think he's had murderous intent toward Nelson all along?

[B]

We can't know for sure, but I can speak to this from a forensic psychology perspective. One of the most consistent findings in the field is that historical behavior is among the strongest predictors of future behavior, particularly when it comes to violence. It's the foundation of most structured risk assessment tools used in forensic settings today. That's not to say that everyone with a history of violence will go on to commit more of it, but it is a risk marker, meaning there is an elevated probability, but it's not a certainty. When we evaluate risk, we're looking at a number of factors to calculate actuarial or clinical risk scores, depending on the tools and the approach that we use. John had already demonstrated a capacity for lethal violence. He had crossed that threshold before and he went to jail for it. That alone doesn't tell us conclusively that he intended to kill Nelson. But it does tell us that under conditions of extreme psychological pressure, lethal violence was possible for him. And that night, every condition that had previously pushed him to that threshold was present and arguably maybe even more intense than before.

[A]

What began as a seemingly innocent visit had turned into a murderous, rampant page. But the dark forces around John Blimyer weren't done with him yet. That was serial killers and murderous minds with me, Vanessa Richardson and my co host, Dr. Tristan Engels. Catch part two of the Killing Curse, Hex Hollow. And if you missed part one, that's there waiting for you too. On Apple Podcasts or Spotify, just search serial killers and murderous minds minds you've been listening to crime house 247 bringing you breaking crime news. I'm Vanessa Richardson. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more developing stories. Stay safe and thanks for listening.

[B]

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[A]

Thanks for listening to today's episode. Not sure what to listen to next? Check out America's Most Infamous Crimes hosted by Katie Ring. From serial killers to unsolved mysteries and game changing investigations, each week Katie takes on a notorious criminal case in American history. Listen to and follow America's Most Infamous Crimes now. Wherever you listen to podcasts.