Killing of Anna Kepner
The killing of Anna Marie Kepner occurred on November 7, 2025, during a cruise aboard Carnival Horizon with her family members.
| Date | November 7, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Type | Homicide by mechanical asphyxiation |
| Deaths | Anna Kepner |
| Arrests | Stepbrother of Anna Kepner |
Background
Kepner was from Titusville, Florida. She was a cheerleader at Temple Christian School.[1] Kepner's grandparents stated that she and her stepbrother were very close.[2] At the time of her killing, she was eighteen years old.[2]
Death
On November 2, 2025,[3] Kepner boarded the Carnival Horizon in Miami, Florida with her family, including her father, Christopher Kepner, her grandparents, her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, her stepbrother, and a nine-year-old stepsister.[1][2][3][4][5] The sailing was planned to be 6 nights, with ports of call in George Town, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and Cozumel, Mexico.[1] Kepner, who was eighteen, was sharing a room with her stepbrother, who was sixteen.[2][1]
Kepner was killed via mechanical asphyxiation on November 7.[4] On November 8, Kepner's body was found by a cabin steward at 11:17 am, wrapped in a blanket under a bed and concealed by life vests.[1][2][5][6] Family members said her stepbrother was "an emotional mess" after Kepner's body was discovered.[2] He reportedly told investigators and family members he could not remember anything.[1][2]
The vessel returned to Miami on November 8, as originally planned per its itinerary.[1][3][4] Following their arrival in Miami, Anna Kepner's stepbrother was hospitalized for psychiatric observation and was later released to one of Shauntel's relatives.[1][2][3] The death was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was ruled a homicide.[2][5] Bruising was present on Kepner's neck, suggesting an arm had been held across her neck.[5][7] A memorial service for Kepner was held on November 20, and attendees were encouraged to wear bright colors, "in honor of Anna's bright and beautiful soul."[1][8]
Legal proceedings
Shauntel Hudson and the father of Anna Kepner's stepbrother, Thomas Hudson, were engaged in an ongoing custody battle.[6] On November 17, Shauntel requested an emergency delay in the hearing, as one of her minor children may be considered a suspect in the incident.[6][8] On December 5, a federal judge in Brevard County, Florida, stated that the stepbrother was considered a suspect during a custody hearing.[9]
On February 6, 2026, Kepner's stepbrother appeared before a federal magistrate. The case was sealed, and charges were not publicly released.[4][5] He was represented by a federal public defender.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Gallop, JD (December 23, 2025). "Kepner case: Court records show family texts shared after teen's death". Florida Today. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Asma-Sadeque, Samira (November 24, 2025). "Anna Kepner's Grandma Reveals How Stepbrother Reacted After Her Body Was Found In His Room on Cruise". People. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Teenager Under Investigation After Stepsister Is Found Dead on Cruise Ship". November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Pipitone, Tony (February 6, 2026). "Teen suspect in stepsister's cruise ship death in federal court in Miami". NBC Miami. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Fox, Sheldon; Sosa, Samantha; Boulandier, Kevin (February 6, 2026). "Stepbrother of Florida teen found dead on cruise ship appears in federal court in connection to case". 7NewsMiami. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c Harman, Brian; Volack, Jason; Katersky, Aaron; Margolin, Josh; Barr, Luke. "Teen who died on Carnival cruise was found under bed, stepbrother under investigation: Source". ABC News. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ Marcos, Coral Murphy (November 22, 2025). "Stepbrother investigated in death of Florida high schooler on cruise ship". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Payne, Kate (November 19, 2025). "Speculation intensifies in the death of a Florida high schooler on a cruise". AP News. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ Asma-Sadeque, Samira; Spargo, Chris (December 5, 2025). "Judge Now Says Anna Kepner's 16-Year-Old Stepbrother Is 'a Suspect' in Her Cruise Ship Death". People. Retrieved February 7, 2026.