The untimely passing of 18-year-old cheerleader Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship has enveloped her large, fractured family in a cloud of sorrow, bewilderment, and escalating tension.
Anna’s mother, Heather Wright, shared a poignant narrative of her quiet attendance at the funeral, despite her ex-husband’s objections, amid fears of being detained due to outstanding child support issues. This situation highlights the often painful intersection of personal tragedy and family estrangement played out in the public sphere.
“The song ‘I Am Not Okay’ by Jelly Roll perfectly encapsulates my feelings,” Heather Wright expressed to Fox News Digital, illustrating her emotional state.
The family identified Anna Kepner as the passenger who lost her life aboard the Carnival Horizon. (Instagram/Anna Kepner)
Heather recounted that she and Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, parted ways when Anna was just 4 years old, leading her to relocate to Oklahoma. Despite the geographical and emotional distance, she made efforts to maintain a connection over the years.
“She was my daughter, and I cherished her with all my heart and soul,” Heather affirmed, emphasizing her enduring love for Anna.
She said she was kept out of her daughter’s life after she moved away. She was even left out of her daughter’s online obituary, at first. An edited version added her name and removed references to other relatives.
Wright said she was told not to attend her daughter’s memorial service, which was held last week, claiming that her estranged ex threatened to have her arrested over years of unpaid child support.
Anna Kepner’s estranged biological mother, Heather Wright, has opened up about her daughter’s mysterious cruise ship death in a series of TikTok videos. (Heather Wright/TikTok)
“They said I never went, but I did,” she told Fox News Digital. “I didn’t want to be seen, so I made sure no one seen me — plus they can’t stop me from going anyway, even though Chris said he would have me arrested for back child support.”
Christopher Kepner has not responded to Fox News Digital’s attempts to reach him. He is now with his third wife, Shauntel Kepner, whose 16-year-old son has been described as a “suspect” in court documents as part of an ongoing custody dispute between her and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson.
Anna Kepner, her father, stepmother and several siblings in a family photo. (Shauntel Kepner/Facebook)
There have been no publicly announced criminal charges in the case, and the FBI has not publicly designated the teen or anyone else as a suspect.
However, both Shauntel and Hudson have referenced the FBI investigation in court filings.
The FBI, which is conducting the investigation, declined to comment.
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)
Anna, 18, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7 during a family vacation with her father, stepmom, grandparents and some of her siblings.
Anna’s death has reportedly been ruled a homicide by “mechanical asphyxiation,” but authorities have not announced any suspects or arrests. She was found dead in her cabin in a room she shared with her stepbrother, relatives have said.
“Why am I the bad guy?” Wright asked. “He put them in the same room together.”
