Chilling Text Messages Emerge After Florida Teen’s Death Aboard Cruise Ship
Newly released court documents are shedding more light on the days following the death of 18-year-old Florida teen Anna Kepner, whose body was discovered aboard a cruise ship in early November.
The records reveal private text messages exchanged between family members as investigators continue to examine what happened. No arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation.
Anna was found dead on November 7, 2025, during a sailing aboard Carnival Horizon. Her body was discovered in a stateroom, under a bed and partially concealed by life jackets. Authorities later confirmed her cause of death was asphyxiation. Investigators have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Custody Case Leads to Release of Text Messages
The newly public documents come from a separate child custody dispute involving Anna’s stepmother, Shauntell Hudson Kepner, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. The two share custody of a 16-year-old boy who is Anna’s stepbrother and who was also on the cruise. Because he is a minor, his identity has not been made public.
According to the filings, Shauntell Hudson Kepner contacted her ex-husband on November 8, describing the situation as an emergency and asking him to call her immediately. The timing of the message is notable, as it was sent more than 24 hours after Anna’s body had been found and after the family had already disembarked the ship in Miami.
In response, Hudson asked whether he could pick up one of their children to remove them from the situation. Hudson Kepner declined at the time, but acknowledged that they would eventually need to explain what happened to their other children.
Concerns About Memory and Silence
Two days after Anna’s death, Hudson Kepner sent another message saying she had spoken briefly with her son. According to the documents, the conversation lasted less than two minutes, and the teen repeatedly stated that he could not remember anything about the night Anna died.
Hudson replied that he wanted his son to know he was loved regardless of the circumstances. Court filings indicate the 16-year-old was later placed under psychiatric evaluation after the cruise and was eventually released to another relative, where he is currently staying. Hudson Kepner stated in a recorded court filing that the teen would not be returning to her home at this time.
Efforts to Limit Public Attention
Additional text messages reveal growing concern about online speculation and social media attention. In messages exchanged on November 9, Hudson expressed worry that posts and comments were spreading rapidly online and said he wanted to avoid unnecessary attention being directed toward their son.
Hudson Kepner responded that because the teen is a minor, his name should not appear anywhere publicly. She also referenced speaking again with federal investigators and emphasized that they did not want any information released while the investigation was still ongoing.
Some messages suggest the family was already considering the possibility of criminal charges, depending on autopsy results, even before any public confirmation that the teen was considered a suspect. Court records indicate the 16-year-old is currently regarded as the prime suspect, though authorities have not filed charges.
Investigation Still Ongoing
As of now, law enforcement has not announced any arrests related to Anna Kepner’s death. At a custody hearing held in early December, an attorney involved in the case suggested charges could still be forthcoming, though no official timeline has been provided.
Authorities have not said whether the case will remain under federal jurisdiction or be transferred to state or local prosecutors. For now, the investigation remains open, and Anna’s family continues to wait for answers as the case moves forward.
