The body of Anna Kepner, 18, was discovered aboard a Carnival cruise ship, resulting in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
While few details were initially released, new evidence has since emerged, with Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother listed as a suspect in official court documents.
The 18-year-old high school senior was months away from graduating from Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, with plans to join the military.
Unfortunately, Kepner's life was cut short while on a Carnival cruise vacation with her family. She had been sailing aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship with her when she was pronounced dead on November 7, 2025.
Her time of death was listed at 11:17 a.m. However, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office refused to provide a cause and manner of death.
Shortly after the news broke, rumors began circulating on social media, pointing blame at someone in her family. Someone who claimed to be Kepner's uncle posted that her stepbrother had killed her and "stuffed her naked, beaten body in a sheet and stuffed her under a bed covered in lifejackets."
Although the FBI has not confirmed these claims, law enforcement officers told CBS News that Kepner's body was found by a stateroom attendant under the bed in her cabin.
Moreover, an unrelated court filing suggested charges may be pending against one of the deceased's stepsiblings.
Shauntel Hudson, Kepner's stepmother, who was on the cruise with her, filed a motion to reschedule a divorce hearing due to the matter.
Read more: FBI launches investigation into death aboard cruise ship in Miami, Carnival confirms
The filing states, "An extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein the Respondent/Mother will not be able to testify at the hearing at this time."
It also says that she has been advised by the FBI and her attorney that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children. As such, she cannot testify, as it could be prejudicial for her child in the criminal case.
According to the documents, the stepbrother is no longer in police custody. NBC News reported that he is living with a relative to protect the safety of his younger sister and Kepner's other sibling. Moreover, the court filing identifies the teenage suspect with the initials T.H.
"When she walked into a room, she would light it up," her family told ABC News, "If you were sad, she’d make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school."
"She had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to."
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
