A new memorial honoring Athena Strand now stands in Wise County, transforming the place where the 7-year-old’s body was found in 2022 into a space for remembrance and healing. The memorial includes photos of Athena and her family, mementos from law enforcement and the original cross that first marked the site. “This, unfortunately, was the area where she was located but the community made it more than that,” Zaylen Bell said. Bell, owner of Bell’s Landscaping Industries, said the memorial was built to serve the community and keep Athena’s memory alive. “Maitlyn wanted it to be here for the community so that Athena’s never forgotten about,” Bell said. Bell said Athena’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, contacted him about creating the memorial. He said he immediately agreed to help. “We didn’t even question it, we said, ‘We’ll get it done for you, don’t worry,’” Bell said. Bell said the project came together in about 10 days with help from NTX Woodworks. “I teamed up with NTX Woodworks and he was able to get the design I had,” Bell said. He said Gandy was emotional when she saw the completed memorial. “Mom was blown away with it,” Bell said. Bell described the project as deeply personal, especially as a father himself. “A lot…” Bell said when asked what emotions the memorial evokes in him. “I have a little girl myself. So, it makes me hold her a lot tighter, knowing someone else can’t hold their little girl every night,” Bell said. The memorial now stands as a gathering place for the community, where people can stop, reflect and remember Athena. “People can just kind of walk up, look inside of it, check it out,” Bell said. “So, it’s got plenty of room for the community to add everything,” Bell said. The memorial comes just days before what would have been Athena’s 11th birthday. “Happy birthday to Athena,” Bell said. Bell also reflected on Athena’s mother after the conclusion of the criminal case tied to her daughter’s death. “In her mama heart, I think she knew justice had been served and Athena was up in heaven smiling and looking down on her,” Bell said. “This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.” ...read more read less