Where is Paradise, Texas, the town authorities searched for missing 7-year-old girl?
.jpg "The Wise County Courthouse in Decatur.")
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Athena Strand
A FedEx contract driver has been arrested and accused of kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand, authorities announced Dec. 2, 2022. Click on the arrow below to read more on this developing story.
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Update: FedEx driver charged with murder, kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand in North Texas
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Athena Strand, the 7-year-old who was found dead Friday, was last seen in the 200 block of County Road 3573 in Paradise.
So, where is Paradise?
Paradise is a rural town of 475 people six miles southwest of Decatur in southwestern Wise County.
Early settlers of the area came in the 1870s when a store opened in town, according to the Texas State Historical Association. The settlers initially called the town Eldorado, but was told by postal authorities that the name was already taken. They suggested Paradise Prairie because of the abundance of wildflowers in the area.
The name was later shortened to Paradise, and the community received a post office branch in 1876.
This story was originally published December 2, 2022 at 11:35 AM.
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