Anna Kepner murder arrest made as step-brother, Timothy-Tim-Hudson turns self in according to grandmother, Barbara Collins Kepner as she accuses boy’s father, Thomas Hudson and Tabitha Kepner in ‘ongoing’ interference in the case, with the case initially filed in juvenile court before FBI will seek to have case tried in adult court.
The uncle of Anna Kepner, the 18 year old Titusville, Florida girl who was strangled on board a Carnival cruise in November, on Wednesday, announced that an arrest in the case has finally been made, some 3 months after the teen being found dead.
Barbara Collins Kepner in a Facebook post confirmed that Anna’s Kepner’s step-brother, 17-year old, Timothy ‘Tim’ Hudson, had turned himself in for the homicide murder of Anna. Leading up to the teen’s arrest, the boy had been staying with his grandmother.
Timothy ‘Tim’ Hudson, Anna Kepner stepbrother indicted in murder of Anna Kepner who he lusted over
Anna Kepner grandmother shares news of step-brother arrest in teen’s murder
Posted the grandmother, ‘He was charged but his father fired the attorney and got three days more of discovery. He was charged as a juvenile for the state of Florida. The FBI will charge him as an adult. We just have to let the process happen and that’s why the family’s not speaking.’
Added the grandmother in the thread, ‘It’s his biological father and her first stepmother, Tabitha Kepner that are interfering with the investigations and keeping us with getting justice.
Drew Kepner, the uncle of Anna Kepner on Wednesday shared an update in the Facebook group, Carnival cruise mystery; what happened to Anna Kepner, in which the relative discussed the long fraught fight to bring justice to Anna.
Deeply flawed justice system
Posted Drew Kepner, ’It’s a heartbreaking day when a murderer can walk around as if nothing happened, showing no remorse for taking the life of an innocent young woman, while his dad’s family seems completely fine with it. Our justice system is deeply flawed when it takes this long to act despite undeniable evidence. While Anna’s family is left to live with unbearable pain, the person responsible continues to enjoy his life. Hers was stolen, and that injustice is impossible to ignore.’
Due to the suspect being under the age of 18, all records are currently sealed and are expected to remain that way until the case is formally moved to adult court where prosecutors have indicated that they will seek to charge the teen as an adult.
Justice for Anna Kepner
At the time of Anna’s death, the high school senior was returning from a six-day Caribbean voyage with her family when her body was discovered on November 7, 2025.
A crew member found Anna hidden beneath a bed inside her cabin. Reports indicate she was unclothed, wrapped in a blanket, and concealed with life jackets. The room was shared with her younger brother and her 16-year-old stepbrother, Tim.
The night before her death, Anna reportedly left dinner early after feeling ill and returned to the cabin to lie down. Later, the boys came back to change clothes before heading out to swim with other family members. Anna’s younger brother left the cabin first. Her stepbrother remained inside alone with her for a period of time.
Prior reports included inappropriate conduct and behavior towards the older teen step-sister who the 16-year-old is alleged to have been ‘fixated on,’ and having a ‘crush on.’
Information later surfaced through family court filings in an unrelated custody case, raising serious concerns and pointing investigators toward the stepbrother as a possible suspect. Sources have also alleged troubling behavior toward Anna prior to the cruise.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner determined Anna’s death was a homicide, caused by mechanical asphyxia, meaning her breathing was forcibly restricted. While her death was officially recorded at 11:17 a.m., investigators believe the fatal event occurred hours earlier.
Because the incident took place in international waters, jurisdiction fell to federal authorities. The FBI assumed control of the investigation once the ship docked in Miami on November 8. For months, officials remained largely silent — until now.
Anna was a high-school senior with a bright future, known as a cheerleader and aspiring service member. Her death has continued to raise urgent questions about safety at sea and accountability behind closed doors and the legitimate process of fighting for justice.
