Anna Kepner Obituary, Death; – Authorities are currently investigating the stepbrother of an 18-year-old who tragically lost her life aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship earlier this month, according to court documents and statements from the family.
The deceased, Anna Kepner, was on the Carnival Horizon voyage at the time of her death.
Records from the Miami Dade Medical Examiner Department indicate that Kepner passed away at approximately 11:17 a.m. on November 7. When reached on November 21, the department stated that the cause and manner of her death have yet to be determined, and her report is still pending.
Her family informed ABC News that she succumbed to asphyxiation. USA TODAY has made attempts to reach out to Kepner’s family members but has not received any replies.
According to court documents acquired by USA TODAY, Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, was previously married and has a 16-year-old son with her ex-husband; they are currently involved in an open custody case. In court filings dated November 17, Hudson’s attorneys named a 16-year-old as a suspect related to Kepner’s death.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking into Kepner’s death, as stated in a communication from Carnival Cruise Line to USA TODAY. The cruise line has confirmed its full cooperation with the FBI’s investigation.
The FBI informed USA TODAY on November 21 that it does not provide operational updates on its investigations “except in rare circumstances.”
“The sixteen-year-old child is now a suspect in the death of the stepchild during the cruise,” Hudson’s lawyers wrote, further noting in another document that the children involved in the custody case were present on the cruise with their mother and Kepner.
The 16-year-old identified as a suspect is currently residing with a family member of his mother in the Hernando County area, as reported by Florida Today, which is part of the USA TODAY network.
When contacted via email on November 21, a lawyer representing Hudson did not respond immediately.
As the investigation continues, here is what we know thus far.
