On November 7, 2025, 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a high school senior from Titusville, Florida, died while aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The ship later returned to PortMiami, and the FBI has taken charge of the investigation, given that the incident occurred in international waters. Reports say Anna was found in her cabin by a maid, wrapped in a blanket, covered with life jackets, and hidden beneath a bed. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner confirmed her identity and time of death, but the cause and manner remain undisclosed as of now.
The family dynamics around the tragedy are complicated. Anna was traveling with her father (Chris Kepner), her stepmother (Shauntel Hudson), and several siblings. Court filings from Shauntel’s ongoing divorce and custody dispute with her ex-husband have revealed that one of the minor children aboard the cruise — her 16-year-old stepbrother, identified by the initials “T.H.” — is under FBI investigation in connection to Anna’s death. In a legal motion, Shauntel’s attorney argued that her testimony in the divorce case could be prejudicial to her or her child, and she has asked a judge to postpone upcoming hearings.
Investigators are reportedly combing through extensive evidence. According to court and press reports, surveillance video from the cruise ship — including footage of who entered Anna’s cabin and when — is being reviewed. The FBI has also taken Anna’s cellphone for forensic analysis, and it is interviewing passengers, crew, and family members. Carnival Cruise Line has publicly committed to fully cooperating with the FBI. Meanwhile, the public continues to wait on the final autopsy results, which remain pending.
Allegations and speculation have surged, fueled in part by court filings and remarks from people close to the family. Reports in court describe clear suspicion of one of the minor children, now labeled a “suspect” in the investigation. According to the ex-boyfriend of the teen, he witnessed odd interactions: in one alleged FaceTime call late at night, he said the 16-year-old stepbrother climbed “on top of her” while she slept. In the midst of this, the stepmother invoked her Fifth Amendment rights, citing the ongoing criminal probe and her concern that any testimony could harm her and her child.
Anna was remembered by family and friends as a bright, warm, and ambitious young woman. Her family said she had just completed entrance testing for the military and was planning a future in public service. She was active in cheerleading and gymnastics, loved the water, and had a personality that people described as “happy,” “bubbly,” and caring. The suddenness and mystery of her death have left her community — especially in Titusville — reeling with grief and searching for answers.
The broader public reaction has been intense. Media outlets and the FBI have offered few public details, contributing to widespread speculation. Court filings have become key sources of information, revealing the stepbrother’s suspected involvement and the stepmother’s legal concerns. The family has largely stayed private, but the mounting legal drama — including custody battles and possible criminal charges — has made this not just a tragic death, but a deeply fraught and complex investigation.
