Tanner Horner Unmasked — The Psychology Behind the Athena Strand Case

Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, breaks down the penalty phase of the capital murder trial of Tanner Horner, the man convicted of killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. In this episode, we analyze emotional testimony from family members, claims of generational trauma, autism, and brain abnormalities, and the science presented to explain behavior. But do these factors actually help explain what happened—or are they being used to influence sentencing? This is a deeper look at what the jury is hearing, what it means psychologically, and the question at the center of it all: explanation vs. accountability. Sponsors: Wayfair: Way Day at Wayfair is April 25th-27th—shop up to 80% off with fast and free shipping on everything at Miracle Brand: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to and use code HIDDEN to claim your free 3 piece towel set and save over 40% off. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Tanner Horner Unmasked — The Psychology Behind the Athena Strand Case is an episode from Hidden: A True Crime Podcast by Hidden True Crime.

This episode is 123:29 long.

This episode was published on Apr 28, 2026.

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