Teen found dead on Carnival cruise died by asphyxiation, outlets report

Anna Kepner, the 18-year-old soon-to-be high school graduate found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month, died by asphyxiation, according to ABC News sources close to the investigation

Kepner was found hidden under a bed in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon on November 7. Her body was wrapped in a blanket and covered by life jackets.

Subsequently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened a formal investigation into her death since it occurred while the ship was in international waters. However, they declined to comment on Kepner's cause of death, as did the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office. 

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Sources told ABC News that Kepner died from a bar hold, meaning that an arm was forcefully held against her neck, with investigators noting two bruises on the sides of her neck consistent with a chokehold.

They added that Kepner's body showed no signs of sexual assault, and there did not appear to be drugs or alcohol in her system, though full autopsy and toxicology reports have not been completed. 

While no suspect or person of interest has been publicly named in the case, court filings unrelated to Kepner's death reveal that Shauntel Hudson, the teenager's stepmother, said the FBI briefed her that one of her minor children could be subject to criminal charges.

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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."

As such, Hudson cannot testify at the custody hearing involving her ex-husband, as it could be prejudicial for her child in the criminal case.

NBC News reported that the 16-year-old stepson is living with a relative to protect the safety of his younger sister and Kepner's other sibling, adding that the court filing refers to the suspect by the initials T.H. Moreover, FOX35 reported that the stepbrother was taken to the hospital immediately after the ship docked at PortMiami. It's unclear why. 

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Kepner was traveling aboard the Vista Class ship with her dad, stepmother, and stepsiblings. Her birth mother, Heather Wright, told CNN that she found out her daughter had died via an online search. 

"I found out through Google. I ended up Googling it, because the only information I had was that my daughter was on a cruise," she said.

Wright now resides in Oklahoma and last saw Kepner a few years ago.

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"Anna was pure energy: bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself. She never had a filter, and that was part of her charm. Whether she was practicing new makeup looks (even if she had nowhere to go), making TikToks in front of the mirror, or blasting a perfectly curated playlist on the boat, Anna lived every day with her whole heart," her obituary reads. 

"She loved her siblings deeply and made sure they always felt it whether it be taking them to the park, Halloween Horror Nights, or just out for fun, because that’s who she was: thoughtful, nurturing, and always thinking of others. She had a big, beautiful heart, often sending random 'I love you' messages or little gestures that made someone’s day."

Additionally, she had recently taken the test to join the military, was speaking with recruiters, and had plans to join the U.S. Navy after graduation. She later wanted to become a K-9 police officer. 

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A celebration of life was held for Kepner on Thursday, Nov. 22, in Titusville, Florida. The family requested that, rather than wear black, attendees wear colors in honor of her "bright and beautiful soul."