By Robert AlexanderShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberFederal investigators are examining new evidence and pursuing multiple lines of inquiry in the death of 18-year-old Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner, whose body was discovered aboard the Carnival Horizon on November 7.
Newly released court filings and investigative details that Kepner died from asphyxiation have revealed a significant shift with relatives of Kepner suggesting that one of her stepsiblings is now a "suspect," according to multiple ABC News reports.
Newsweek reached out to the FBI, the Medical Examiner and attorneys for the family for comment via email outside normal office hours on Monday.
Why It Matters
Federal investigators and officials have publicly released little about how the 18-year-old Kepner died while aboard the Carnival Horizon, but a recently surfaced family-court filing, interviews with her grandparents, and fresh comments from officials offer some insight into the case.
A filing reveals that an attorney in a case involving Kepner's stepmother that a "criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children" within the family and Kepner's grandparents told ABC News that officials have told them that her stepbrother is a suspect in the case.
The family also told ABC News that officials have told them that Kepner died from asphyxiation, possibly caused by a "bar hold" across her neck.
...What To Know
Discovery Of The Body And Cause Of Death
Kepner was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida. According to family, she was preparing to graduate in Spring 2026 and hoped to join the U.S. Navy and later become a K-9 police officer.
She was found dead on November 7 while on a six-day Caribbean cruise with her father, Christopher Kepner, 41, her 14-year-old brother Connor, her stepmother Shauntel Hudson, 36, and her 16-year-old stepbrother.
Her time of death was listed as 11:17 a.m. on November 7.
Her body was reportedly discovered underneath the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests.
Preliminary findings indicated no signs of sexual assault and no drugs or alcohol in her system, pending full autopsy and toxicology, according to reports.
...Court Filing Mentions Potential Case Against 'Minor Children'
One development can be found in an emergency November 17 motion filed by Kepner's stepmother, Hudson, in a separate divorce and custody case.
The motion states the FBI informed her that a "criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children" involved in that family-court matter.
Her attorney wrote that Hudson's testimony “could be prejudicial to her or her adolescent child.”
In court, Hudson stated that the 16-year-old is under psychiatric care, according to the ABC News report, and had an appointment set for December 1.
During the hearing, the father’s attorney described concerns about teen drinking on the cruise, which Hudson's counsel disputed.
Hudson asked that the custody hearing be postponed until the federal investigation is complete.
Kepner's Grandparents Say Stepbrother Named As Suspect
Anna Kepner’s grandparents, Jeffrey and Barbara Kepner, told ABC News on Monday that their family has been left heartbroken after what was meant to be a "great time" on a family trip.
They told the outlet that authorities later informed them that Anna’s stepbrother is considered a suspect. Barbara said, “I couldn't fathom why anyone would wanna hurt my baby.”
The grandparents said the family had always been close, with Jeffrey noting, “It’s all family…our dynamic is we’re all just family,” and Barbara emphasizing there was “no such thing as steps” between the children.
The grandparents say they refuse to rush to judgment in the case, with Barbara adding, “I can’t accuse him because I don’t know what happened in that room.”
The FBI continues to review surveillance footage related to the case, according to reports.
What People Are Saying
Jeffrey Kepner, Anna's grandfather told ABC News: "We were looking forward to seeing her grow."
What Happens Next
The FBI continues waiting for final autopsy and toxicology results, reviewing surveillance footage, key-card data, and digital devices, and comparing physical evidence to potential subjects, according to multiple reports.
Because a juvenile may be involved and federal juvenile cases are sealed, any charging decisions may not become public for weeks or months.
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