Step sibling may face charges in death of Carnival Horizon teen after a family member states criminal charges are pending in an unrelated family court matter.
A minor may face criminal charges in connection with the death of a Florida teen girl who was found deceased aboard a Carnival Horizon cruise ship earlier this month, according to a new filing in an unrelated family court matter.
Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was found dead aboard the Horizon on November 8, and according to the Monday filing, one of her step-siblings could face charges.
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The court filing stated the FBI is conducting an investigation ‘arising out of the sudden death of 18 year old Anna Kepner.’ The Miami-Dade medical examiner has not specified a cause or manner of her death.
Shauntel Hudson, 36, — Kepner’s stepmother, who was also on the cruise along with her children and Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, 41,– requested a delay in her custody hearing because one of her minor children may face criminal charges, according to the filing, ABC News reported.
‘The Respondent has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action,’ the filing stated. ‘Any testimony the Respondent may give, either written or oral, could be prejudicial to her or her adolescent child in this pending criminal investigation, therefore the Respondent cannot be compelled to testify.’
The FBI declined to comment.
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Details surrounding Kepner’s death have not been released, including the cause and manner of her death.
The development follows an individual purporting to be the victim’s uncle, Martin Donohue, on Monday posting on X that the teen’s younger step brother is complicit in her death, claiming that Kepner had been beaten up by the boy, wrapped in a blanket and covered over with life jackets and stuffed under a bed.
Commented one individual in a Facebook forum, ‘He is a minor. I don’t know his name and it is facts considering the family threatened others in PM to keep quiet. He was removed off the ship in cuffs.’
To date, officials had yet to affirm or deny the purported relative’s allegations.
According to the alleged relative, Anna’s step brother had accompanied Anna and her father and stepmom along with three step siblings on the Caribbean cruise before the minor allegedly beating the teen to death.
The relative further accuses the father and step mother of trying to cover up the boy’s alleged involvement as the pair have to date refused to discuss the case and the moments leading up to the cheerleader’s death.
In a public Facebook comment responding to speculation online, Anna’s grandmother, Barbara Collins Kepner, wrote:
‘My granddaughter was 18 years old no drugs or alcohol involved. She was murdered. Yes she was murdered. That is why the FBI was there.’
This is the first public allegation from a close family member claiming homicide. Law enforcement has not confirmed this.
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The Space Coast Rocket has independently confirmed through a member of Anna’s extended family that the older stepson, Tim, is not at the family residence. According to the relative, he has not been seen at the home since returning from the cruise. It is unknown whether his absence is connected to the investigation, and federal authorities have not commented on his status, location, or whether he is involved in the case.
Conspicuously staying quiet is the owner of Caribbean cruiser, Carnival Horizon, whose body Anna Kepner was found on their vessel.
Stated Carnival Cruise Line in a previous initial statement following news of the cheerleader’s death, ‘Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI.’
