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.

Killing of Anna Kepner
DateNovember 7, 2025
TypeHomicide by mechanical asphyxiation
DeathsAnna Kepner
ArrestsStepbrother 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]

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d "Teenager Under Investigation After Stepsister Is Found Dead on Cruise Ship". November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.