16.12.2025

"FBI Investigates Stepsister's Death on Cruise Ship"

TITUSVILLE, Fla

TITUSVILLE, Fla. (AP) – An ongoing FBI investigation has emerged surrounding the circumstances of a 16-year-old boy linked to the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, on a Carnival cruise ship last month. According to court documents submitted by the boy’s father, Thomas Hudson, he did not grant permission for the teen to participate in the cruise, pointing fingers at his ex-wife for inadequate supervision.

The legal motions filed by Hudson allege that not only was the boy allowed to share a room with his stepsister aboard the cruise ship, but that his mother increasingly failed to ensure the proper oversight of the teen. According to the father’s claims, this lack of supervision poses serious concerns regarding the safety and well-being of both children.

Tragically, Anna Kepner was discovered asphyxiated under a bed in the shared room she occupied with her stepsibling. This devastating incident, which occurred on the Carnival Horizon ship, has since been categorized as a homicide, as indicated by her death certificate obtained by media sources. The case has drawn international attention, highlighting the severity and mystery surrounding the young girl's death.

Kepner was known as a high school cheerleader from Florida’s Space Coast and had been looking forward to graduating in the near future. She was traveling on the cruise with her father, her stepmother, her stepmother’s two children, and grandparents, creating a family outing that took a tragic turn. Until now, both the FBI and the South Florida medical examiner's office have withheld information regarding the investigation, leaving many unanswered questions about the events leading up to Kepner’s death.

The cruise ship had embarked from Miami, and the circumstances of the incident have led to a significant amount of speculation and concern among the public and the media. As the investigation continues, more details are likely to surface, and the implications of the allegations made by Hudson may further complicate matters in family court as custody and visitation rights concerning the teen are evaluated.

Overall, the tragic case of Anna Kepner serves as a harsh reminder of the potential dangers present even in seemingly safe environments, such as family vacations. The mystery of her therefore still captivates a range of audiences, as everyone awaits further developments from the ongoing investigation.