A 16-year-old is under the spotlight today as he makes his way to federal court, facing serious allegations in connection with his stepsister Anna Kepner’s mysterious death on a cruise ship.

Anna, just 18 years old, tragically passed nearly three months ago, reportedly due to asphyxiation aboard the Carnival Horizon. Since then, her young stepbrother has been the primary suspect in the case.

Captured in exclusive images by the Daily Mail, the teenager arrived at Miami’s James Lawrence King Federal Justice Centre this morning, accompanied by his father, Thomas Hudson, who is 37.

Dressed in a cap, sneakers, black pants, and a camouflage hoodie, the boy appeared somber and remained silent as he and his father proceeded to a private hearing with a federal judge.

Insiders reveal that he is facing at least two charges linked to Anna’s untimely death on November 7. During today’s hearing, the judge will also determine whether the teen will continue to be held or if he will be released to a relative’s care.

“This marks an important initial step for everyone involved,” a source commented. “Knowing his fate will allow everyone to start healing. No one should have to endure such a situation.”

Anna of Titusville, Florida, was pronounced dead at 11.17am on November 7 while the 133,000-ton Horizon was en route from Mexico to Florida.

The Daily Mail was the first outlet to report that her body was found stuffed under a bed in the cabin she was sharing with her stepbrother and 14-year-old half-brother.

The 16-year-old stepbrother  of Anna Kepner is seen arriving in federal court today where he faces multiple charges in her mystery cruise ship death

Hudson tried to cover his face with a hoodie at times while outside of a Miami courtroom 

Anna died by asphyxiation aboard the Carnival Horizon and her stepbrother has been considered the sole suspect

She had been wrapped in a blanket and covered with life preservers, according to our sources.

Anna had gone to bed early the night before, telling her family during dinner that she was feeling unwell.

While her half-brother wandered around the ship taking photos, she was left alone with her stepbrother who takes medication for ADHD and insomnia.

When the younger boy returned, he didn’t see Anna but assumed she was staying up late with her father Christopher Kepner, stepmom Shauntel Hudson or his grandparents Jeffrey and Barbara Kepner.

He climbed into his bunk and went to sleep – unaware, sources say, that his sister’s body was hidden just feet away.

It wasn’t until the next morning when the two boys headed to breakfast that the family realized Anna was missing.

A medical emergency was announced over the ship’s public address system, prompting Christopher, 41, to rush to her Deck 8 cabin where a cleaning crew had just discovered the body.

A law enforcement source later told ABC that Anna died from asphyxiation caused by a bar hold, suggesting an arm was pressed across her neck.

Well-placed sources say he faces at least two charges over bubbly Anna’s November 7 death

Exclusive Daily Mail images show him arriving at Miami’s James Lawrence King Federal Justice Centre Friday morning flanked by his dad Thomas Hudson, 37

Anna, 18, was on the cruise with her 16-year-old stepbrother (pictured) and other family members at the time of her death 

Anna’s father Christopher split with his ex-wife Tabitha  in 2023, but he soon found love with Shauntel, who moved in with her children, Anna’s stepsiblings 

FBI agents swarmed the ship, interviewed the family and scoured CCTV cameras when the Horizon returned to Miami on November 8.

Her stepbrother insisted he could not remember what took place in the cabin, according to sources.

Prior to today’s charges, authorities had not named a suspect or even person of interest in Anna’s slaying.

But the stepbrother’s alleged involvement leaked out in court filings in a custody dispute between his mom Shauntel, 36, and her ex-husband Thomas Hudson, 37.

They both referred to their son as a ‘suspect’ in court documents – with one filing describing bubbly Anna’s death as a ‘suspected murder.’

Thomas had sought emergency custody of their young daughter, claiming Shauntel took the kids on the ill-fated cruise without his permission – and even let the older children drink alcohol, an accusation she denied.

Hudson and his family and representatives exit the Miami coutroom

The high school senior, from Titusville, Florida, was on a six-day Carnival cruise to the Caribbean with her family when she was found dead onboard between Mexico and Florida on November 7 

Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother, pictured in December, has been considered the sole suspect In the nearly three months since 18-year-old Anna was allegedly killed by asphyxiation aboard the Carnival Horizon

A maid aboard the Carnival cruise was the one to find Anna’s body wrapped in a blanket, covered over with life jackets and stuffed under a bed, according to our sources, who spoke under condition of anonymity

A Brevard County judge ruled that the girl was not in any danger and could remain with Shauntel and Christopher so long as the stepbrother was living elsewhere.

The couple had already removed him from their blended household in Titusville and placed him with a relative while the FBI investigation played out.

His location was redacted in court documents but when the Daily Mail traced the skinny, blond-haired teen to a relative’s rural Florida home he would only say: ‘I’d rather not talk.’

High school senior Anna had chronicled her love of travel on TikTok and been on several cruises.

‘Anna was pure energy: bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself,’ her family wrote in an obituary.

She planned on entering the US Navy or becoming a K9 handler in the Titusville Police Department.

When crane operator Christopher spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail on November 11, he dismissed any suggestion that his stepson was considered a suspect.

The grief-stricken dad reversed course two weeks later, telling People: ‘He was the only one that was in the room.

‘I can’t say he is responsible – but I can’t rule it out. I want him to face the consequences.’

Christopher said this week he was ‘unable to confirm or deny’ that his stepson was facing murder and rape charges.

Peter Molinelli, an attorney representing Thomas Hudson, said: ‘Nothing I can comment on right now.’

Sources said the boy was fitted will an electronic ankle tag and released late Friday into the care of a relative.

Anna’s father Christopher was in court supporting the boy’s mother – Anna’s stepmom- Shauntel, at a hearing in Florida on December 5 

Anna’s dad Christopher told the Daily Mail he was unable to confirm what charges his stepson was facing.

He expressed his disbelief, however, that the teen suspect was not taken into custody as he had hoped following the day-long sealed proceedings.

‘At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely,’ Christopher said in a joint statement with his wife Shauntel Hudson – the boy’s mother.

‘This reality adds to our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable.

‘This only strengthens our resolve to continue seeking justice for our daughter.’

Christopher and Shauntel said they had been asked by the FBI to remain silent throughout the investigation.

‘The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal,’ the pair added.

‘She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed.

‘Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in every part of our lives. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our loss.

‘We believe in accountability and in the importance of justice being carried out. Our daughter deserves justice, and her life deserves to be honored through a full and fair legal process.

‘We are grateful to the investigators and prosecutors who have worked to uncover the truth and to ensure that this crime is treated with the seriousness it warrants.’

The FBI declined to comment and the Department of Justice did not respond.