Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old, was found dead on November 7, 2025, asphyxiated under a bed in her stateroom on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. She shared the room with her 16-year-old stepbrother during a week-long voyage that ended in Miami, Florida. The FBI met the ship upon docking and launched a federal investigation, but 75 days later (as of early 2026), no arrests or charges have been filed. Details primarily come from court filings in a related custody dispute between the boy’s parents.
Key Known Facts
- Discovery and Initial Response: Anna returned to the room on November 6 evening. Her body was found shortly after 11 a.m. the next day. FBI agents boarded in Miami on November 9.
- Stepbrother’s Status: Thomas Hudson, the boy’s father, stated his son is under FBI investigation for a federal crime. The 16-year-old was hospitalized post-return, then sent to a relative by his mother, Shauntel Kepner, to protect other children.
- Court Hearing (Dec. 5, 2025): Shauntel’s lawyer, Millicent Athanason, confirmed the boy is a suspect. Delays stem from FBI deciding whether to hand evidence to state/local authorities. Parents agreed on relocation, amid tense messages from Hudson.
- Custody Dispute: Ongoing battle for their minor daughter; a hearing ran over time without resolution. Hudson seeks custody post-incident.
Investigation Status
No public updates from FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office (Southern District of Florida), or Miami-Dade State Attorney as of January 21, 2026—all declined comment. Silence is common in active federal probes, especially on cruises under U.S. flag (federal maritime jurisdiction via 18 U.S.C. § 7 and FBI authority).
Possible Reasons for Delay
Investigations like this often stall publicly for these reasons:
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Evidence Analysis | Forensic review (autopsy, DNA, videos) takes time; asphyxiation suggests close-quarters struggle, needing chain-of-custody precision. |
| Jurisdictional Handover | FBI may defer to Florida state prosecutors if not crossing state lines or involving maritime specifics, per Dec. 5 court note. |
| Juvenile Suspect | At 16, proceedings could seal records under Florida Statutes § 985.04; federal juvenile rules (18 U.S.C. § 5031+) limit disclosures. |
| Witness Interviews | 3,000+ passengers/crew; international ports complicate travel holds. Carnival likely preserved CCTV under cooperation agreements. |
| Custody Interference | Family court docs reveal tensions; agencies avoid fueling disputes until charges. |
Asphyxiation on a cruise points to homicide (manual strangulation or smothering probable), but no suicide indicators reported. Federal involvement fits deaths at sea (FBI’s Cruise Ship Crime Unit handles ~100/year).
Legal Context in Florida/SC Connection
Florida governs (Miami port), with homicide under Fla. Stat. § 782.04 (up to life for minors). If certified adult, federal enhancements possible (e.g., violence on vessel). Your interest in SC laws notes: No direct tie, but interstate custody could invoke UCCJEA (Fla. Stat. § 61.501+), potentially pulling in SC courts if family relocates.
For latest, check PACER for Southern District of FL dockets or Miami-Dade Clerk (case tied to custody filings). PEOPLE’s reporting aligns with prior cruise cases like the 2019 Paradise killings (FBI-led, charges after 2 months). Expect movement if evidence solidifies.
