Killing of Anna Kepner
The killing of Anna Kepner happened on November 7, 2025, during a cruise to PortMiami along 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 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, Kepner was eighteen.[2]
Death
On November 2, 2025,[3] Kepner boarded the Carnival Horizon cruise in PortMiami 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 cruise was scheduled for six days, visiting Jamaica and Grand Cayman.[1] Kepner, who was eighteen, was sharing a room with her stepbrother, who was sixteen.[2][1]
Kepner died by mechanical asphyxiation on November 7.[4] On November 8, Kepner's body was found by a housekeeper at 11:17am, 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 cruise ship returned to PortMiami on November 8, as planned.[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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Gallop, JD (December 23, 2025). "Kepner case: Court records show family texts shared after teen's death". Florida Today. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 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 7 February 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Teenager Under Investigation After Stepsister Is Found Dead on Cruise Ship". 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Pipitone, Tony (February 6, 2026). "Teen suspect in stepsister's cruise ship death in federal court in Miami". NBC Miami. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 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 7 February 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 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 2026-02-07.
- ↑ Marcos, Coral Murphy (2025-11-22). "Stepbrother investigated in death of Florida high schooler on cruise ship". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Payne, Kate (2025-11-19). "Speculation intensifies in the death of a Florida high schooler on a cruise". AP News. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ↑ 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 7 February 2026.
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