As the federal investigation into the tragic death of 18-year-old cheerleader Anna Kepner enters its sixth week without public updates, recent legal actions in Florida’s family court may shed some light on the case’s progress.
The latest developments involve subpoenas issued by attorneys representing Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Kepner. These legal documents have summoned witnesses from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Temple Christian School, where Anna was once enrolled, to appear at a custody hearing scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Viera, Florida.
As outlined in the court filings, those called to testify include DCF investigator Glora Thomas, alongside staff members from Temple Christian School such as Gabi Brunner, Karen Ross, and Rich Brunner. They have been instructed to provide records concerning several children from the Hudson and Kepner families.
This legal maneuvering coincides with the ongoing investigation by federal authorities into the circumstances surrounding Anna’s death. She was discovered lifeless aboard the Carnival Horizon on November 7, in the stateroom she shared with her 14-year-old brother and 16-year-old stepbrother. Her death has been classified as a homicide due to mechanical asphyxia.
Anna Kepner’s identity was confirmed by her family, acknowledging her as the passenger who tragically passed away on the cruise ship. (Instagram/Anna Kepner)
In commentary for Fox News Digital, Donna Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney and contributor to the network, suggested that the lack of public communication from investigators might indicate the intricate nature of the case, especially if the suspected individual resided within the same household as Anna.
“It is odd we haven’t heard anything,” Rotunno said. “But I think there’s a reason for it. When you’re dealing with essentially one family, authorities have to be careful about what they put out there. You don’t want to tip off what’s going on when your victim’s family and your perpetrator’s family are in the same house.”
Rotunno said Anna’s cause of death may also be contributing to the silence.
“They may not know if they can prove what happened yet,” she said. “Mechanical asphyxia could be argued as accidental or something that went too far. Investigators may still be sorting out what the evidence supports.”
Despite the unusual posture, an emergency custody hearing on Dec. 5 yielded the most substantive developments since the cruise-ship death.
During that hearing, Shauntel’s attorney, Millicent Athanason, noted that Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother may soon face state or federal charges.
“We’re not sure what the FBI is going to do,” Athanason said. “Whether he’s going to be charged federally or whether they’re going to turn it over to the state.”
Shauntel and Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, have referred to the 16-year-old in court filings as a “suspect” and the subject of an FBI investigation. Federal authorities have not announced a suspect or charges.
Athanason told the court the teen is currently staying with a relative as investigators await “psychological and psychiatric” test results, saying that “they don’t know at this time how long that child is going to be at her relative’s house.”
The FBI declined to comment on Athanason’s remarks.
(L-R) Chris Kepner, Shauntel Kepner and Jeffrey Kepner arrive at court in Melbourne, Florida, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The trio headed to an emergency custody hearing in an ongoing dispute between Shauntel and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital)
During the previous family court hearing, Shauntel testified that the 16-year-old had been diagnosed with ADHD and was taking medication for insomnia, which she said he had skipped for two nights on the cruise.
Testimony from Anna’s older stepbrother, 18-year-old Andrew Hudson, introduced new allegations of volatility in the household. Andrew said that he was placed in a chokehold and restrained in a vehicle by Shauntel and Christopher.
Thomas Hudson, Shauntel’s ex-husband and the father of her youngest daughter, also testified, arguing that his 9-year-old child may be at risk under Shauntel’s supervision in the wake of Anna’s death. He accused Christopher of interfering with custody exchanges.
The judge found no emergency requiring a change in custody but noted possible contempt issues that will be addressed at Wednesday’s hearing.
Anna Kepner, her father, stepmother and several siblings in a family photo. (Shauntel Kepner/Facebook)
DCF was ordered to produce years of intake notes, medical records and investigative files related to the family, dating back to 2007, ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s hearing.
Temple Christian School personnel were asked to produce attendance records, behavior reports and academic documentation for two of the Hudson children.
The hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Moore Justice Center.
