Florida Teen Charged With Homicide in Stepsister’s Death on Carnival Cruise

A 16-year-old Florida teen has been charged with homicide in connection with the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, who was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship in November.

The charges surfaced through court documents tied to a separate family custody dispute and were first reported by Florida news outlets before being confirmed by additional media reports. The case is now being handled by federal authorities, as the incident occurred aboard a ship traveling in international waters.

What Happened Onboard

Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school senior and cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was sailing with her father, stepmother, and siblings aboard Carnival Horizon in early November. The six-night Caribbean cruise departed and returned to Port of Miami.

According to investigators, Kepner was found dead in her cabin on November 7. A housekeeper reportedly discovered her under the bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets, after family members raised concerns when she did not show up for breakfast that morning.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office listed her time of death as 11:17 a.m. Authorities later determined that she died from asphyxiation caused by what was described as a “bar hold” — an arm placed across the neck. Two bruises were reportedly noted on the side of her neck.

Federal Charges Filed

Because the death occurred aboard a cruise ship in international waters, the investigation fell under federal jurisdiction. The FBI began investigating when the ship returned to Miami on November 8.

Court documents filed in February reveal that the teen stepbrother was charged with homicide by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida on February 3. The documents do not publicly name the minor.

The revelation came to light in a February 20 emergency divorce court petition filed by Thomas Hudson against his ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson, seeking full custody of their 9-year-old daughter. The filing cited a “significant and unanticipated change of circumstances,” referencing the homicide charge and social media posts from the Kepner family.

Shortly after the alleged killing, the stepbrother was photographed entering federal court in Miami accompanied by his attorney. He was reportedly seen leaving juvenile court before heading to federal court proceedings.

Family Statements and Prior Concerns

In the days following Anna’s death, family members and others close to her spoke publicly.

Her grandmother described the teen suspect as being in emotional distress after the incident, saying he was unable to speak and claimed he did not remember what had happened.

Anna’s ex-boyfriend told local media he was not surprised the stepbrother was suspected, stating there had been prior signs of tension and that Anna had expressed feeling uncomfortable around him.

In a separate interview, Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, said he wanted his stepson to “face the consequences” but stopped short of directly stating responsibility.

“I want him to face the consequences… I will be fighting to make sure that does happen,” he said. “I do not stand behind what my stepson has done. I cannot say that he is responsible, but I can’t decline.”

A Life Remembered

An obituary described Anna Kepner as thoughtful, nurturing, and deeply devoted to her siblings. She was remembered for sending spontaneous “I love you” messages and going out of her way to make others feel cared for.

“She had a big, beautiful heart,” the obituary read, highlighting her warmth and compassion.

Ongoing Case

Federal authorities have not publicly commented in detail on the case. As the accused is a minor, additional information has been limited.

The case remains under federal jurisdiction, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming months.

Cruise lines are required to report serious crimes that occur onboard vessels operating in international waters, and investigations are typically handled by federal agencies when ships sail from or return to U.S. ports.

This remains a developing story.