New DNA Evidence Emerges in Carnival Cruise Murder Case Involving Teen Stepbrother

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Published on 03 June 2026

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The transcript also reveals that Kepner had sexual relations on the cruise with another minor, identified in court as “minor witness two,” who is not Hudson. At the time of the incident, Hudson was 16 years old.

This information was disclosed as prosecutors presented DNA evidence found following the discovery of Kepner’s body in cabin 8343, which she shared with Hudson and her 13-year-old brother.

Prosecutors said a rape kit collected during Kepner’s autopsy produced male DNA from two vaginal swabs, including one that tested positive for sperm.

Based on those preliminary results, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Hudson’s DNA. Investigators also collected DNA from the out-of-state minor who allegedly had sex with Kepner during the cruise.

Prosecutors said the FBI lab compared DNA standards from Hudson and “minor witness two” to the male DNA profile found in the vaginal swabs. According to the government, the other minor was excluded as a contributor.

Prosecutors said the DNA instead strongly supported Hudson as the male contributor.

The government said that one swab was 120 sextillion times more likely to include DNA from Kepner and Hudson than from Kepner and an unknown, unrelated person.

A second swab, which was negative for sperm but positive for male DNA, was described as 1.2 septillion times more likely to include Hudson than an unknown, unrelated person.

The defense, however, signaled that the other sexual encounter and the timeline could become part of its strategy.

During the hearing, Hudson’s attorney argued prosecutors were making assumptions about the evidence, including whether the sexual contact, alleged sexual assault and homicide were all part of the same event.

The defense pressed an FBI agent on whether the medical examiner could determine how long after intercourse Kepner died, or whether the person involved in the intercourse was the same person who killed her. The agent responded that he didn’t “think they made that determination.”

Timothy Hudson appears in a court sketch during a hearing in Miami federal court on May 27. He is accused of murdering his stepsister, Anna Kepner, and sexually assaulting her. (Lothar Speer)

Prosecutors argued the evidence pointed to Hudson, citing the DNA, CCTV footage, phone-location data and the cabin timeline.

They said Kepner was last seen entering the cabin at 7:38 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2025 and was not seen leaving again.

Prosecutors also said Hudson was in the cabin with her for a key stretch of time and that her phone later appeared to travel along the same route as Hudson before it was found destroyed in a trash bin.

The judge found probable cause but said he would not characterize the government’s case as strong, calling it “a much closer call” and noting that “various defenses” could be raised.

Hudson’s case is expected to go to trial in September. News Agency has reached out to Hudson’s attorneys for comment.

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