The family of Anna Kepner is grappling with heartache and confusion as they seek answers following the tragic death of the Florida teenager aboard a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month. Anna’s aunt, Krystal Wright, shared that the family is in a state of “turmoil” as they await further information.
Anna, an 18-year-old cheerleader from Florida, is believed to have fiercely fought for her life during her time on board the Carnival Horizon. Her aunt conveyed this sentiment to Fox 35 Orlando, emphasizing the distress the family is experiencing.
“I am certain that Anna fought. I know she struggled for her life,” Wright expressed, highlighting the emotional toll the incident has taken on the family.
The family is anxiously awaiting an arrest in connection to Anna’s death, which has been officially classified as a homicide. Although Anna’s stepbrother has been identified as a suspect, no charges have been filed at this time.
Wright questioned the lack of legal action, saying, “We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, he has not been charged yet. What’s happening there? It’s turmoil. We’re just sitting here waiting.”
“We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, he has not been charged yet. What’s happening there?” Wright asked. “It’s turmoil. We’re just sitting here waiting.”
According to the Daily Mail, Anna’s former boyfriend, Joshua Tew, 15, said he told the FBI details about the night of Anna’s death after her younger brother spoke to him.
Anna’s brother reportedly said that the stepbrother blocked his entrance into the room. The younger brother then “heard yelling” and described it as “in a harmful way, like ‘shut the hell up’ and stuff like that.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Anna was likely strangled during a struggle.
There were reportedly no signs of a sexual assault. Initial reports did not find drugs or alcohol at play. Official autopsy and toxicology reports have not been released.
A room steward discovered Anna’s body at around 11 a.m. while cleaning a cabin aboard the vessel on November 8. The ship then detoured and stopped at Port Miami.
The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner determined that Anna Kepner died on November 7.
Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner, grandparents of Anna Kepner, who was on the cruise with family, told ABC News the cheerleader’s 16-year-old stepbrother said he didn’t remember what happened in the stateroom.
However, he had been the only person ‘seen coming and going’ from the room. He also reportedly had a strange obsession with her.
During a previous FaceTime call, Joshua reportedly saw the stepbrother enter her room and get on top of her.
FOX News Digital reports that Joshua said the incident happened at around 3 a.m., after Anna had fallen asleep while on the call.
“Anna was lying down, and he walked in there and tried to get on top of her, but he got caught by me in the process of it,” the former boyfriend said at Anna’s celebration of life gathering in Titusville, according to the Daily Mail.
Anna’s death is still pending autopsy. This is an ongoing investigation only, with no arrests at this time.
Check back for the latest updates.
[Feature Photo: Anna Kepner/Instagram]
