Authorities have said that the 31-year-old FedEx truck driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, who was held for abducting and murdering Athena Strand did not know the missing seven-year-old or her family.

Sheriff Lane Akin said at a press conference on Friday: “He was not related and did not know the family.”

The seven-year-old had gone missing from her home on Wednesday.

Wise County sheriff Lane Akin announced on Friday that a FedEx truck driver identified as Tanner Lynn Horner was arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of missing seven-year-old Athena Strand.

Horner has been held in jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Mr Akin said that at about the time that the child went missing on Wednesday, Horner dropped off a package at the home.

She was likely abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house.

She likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession.

Mr Akin said the suspect gave officials at least two false locations - including an area of CR 4599 that was taped off by police on Friday afternoon - before leading them to Athena’s body.

There has been no information on a motive yet.

The body of Athena Strand, the seven-year-old girl from Texas who went missing two days ago has been found 6 miles away from her home, authorities said.

Wise County sheriff Lane Akin said that a FedEx truck driver abducted Athena and that she likely died within an hour based on digital evidence and on a confession, reported CBS News.

The driver, Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is being held at the Wise County Jail on charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Mr Akin said that at about the time Athena went missing, Horner dropped off a package at the child’s home.She was probably abducted from her driveway, about 200 yards away from the house, he said.

ICYMI: At a press conference on Friday, authorities in Wise County, Texas, announced that the Athena Strand case was being transitioned from a search to an investigation.

Sheriff Lane Akin cautioned that foul play is not suspected at this time, but it is still in the realm of possibility.

Mr Akin said there is no evidence at this point to suggest that Athena was abducted, but that is also a possibility.

More than 300 volunteers have been assisting a large group of police officers in the search in the 48 hours since Athena vanished.

Dog teams, helicopters and thermal imaging are also being used.

Athena was last seen wearing a shirt, jeans with flowers on the pockets and brown boots.

On the whole, details about her disappearance remain sparse.

ICYMI: Seven-year-old Athena Strand has been missing from her home in Paradise, Texas, since Wednesday (30 November).

An Amber Alert was issued for her the following day after she was reported missing by her stepmother, according to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office.

The stepmother made the report around 6.40pm Wednesday when she found Athena was not in her room following an argument.

Officials said during a press conference on Friday that the argument was not “unusual” and that the child “walked away” but didn’t come back.

It is believed her health and safety may be in danger and although foul play is not suspected at this time, an abduction has not been ruled out, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said.

“Then stepmom went to fix dinner, came back to get Athena, and Athena wasn’t in her room,” Mr Akin said.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has more:

Video from Texas shows that authorities have taped off a section of road with a car on it, around 10 miles from the home of Athena Strand, according to CBS News.

Media on the scene have reported that FBI agents and DPS have joined Wise County sheriff’s deputies along a stretch of rural road 10 miles from where Athena Strand was last seen.

Police have gathered at CR4599 road in Wise County, Texas, on Friday evening.

Law enforcement now searching a deep roadside ditch around seven miles from the home where Athena Stroud disappeared from, according to media on the scene.