In a heart-wrenching moment, Christopher Kepner tearfully accepted the high school diploma of his late daughter, Anna Kepner, whose life was tragically cut short. Anna was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered by her stepbrother during a family cruise, an event that has left her family and community in deep mourning.
During the commencement ceremony at Temple Christian School in Florida, Christopher received a standing ovation as he accepted Anna’s diploma. The emotional scene, captured by “Good Morning America,” showed the grieving father wiping away tears as he stood in for his daughter at this significant milestone.
“It was hard,” Christopher, 41, expressed, reflecting on the poignant moment. “Being in her place to do that was very hard.”
The ceremony was attended by Anna’s family, including her stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, who joined in honoring Anna’s memory alongside her school and classmates. The family paid tribute to Anna by wearing shirts adorned with blue butterflies, a nod to her favorite color.
Shauntel took charge of Anna’s senior table at the event, lovingly decorating it with photos capturing the joyful moments of the teenager’s life and her friendships over the years. This heartfelt tribute served as a reminder of the vibrant young woman Anna was and the impact she had on those around her.
Shauntel hosted Anna’s senior table, which was covered with photographs of the teenager and friends over the years.
Anna, a devout Christian who had been baptized just months before her death, had planned on joining the military after she graduated high school, her family said
Anna, 18, was killed — allegedly by her 16-year-old stepbrother and Shauntel’s son, Timothy Hudson — while on a Carnival Cruise in the Caribbean with her family in November, according to federal prosecutors.
The bubbly varsity cheerleader and gymnast was found wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets under a bed in a cabin where Anna and Timothy had been rooming together on the six-day excursion.
Officials determined that Anna was strangled to death and had been sexually assaulted.
Hudson — who was reportedly “obsessed” with Anna and was once caught trying to sexually assault her — was first charged as a juvenile before his case was moved to adult court, where a grand jury indicted him.
He will be tried in September for first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, Fox 35 Orlando reported. He has pleaded not guilty.
Christopher has been outraged that his stepson has been permitted to stay with his paternal uncle since he was charged in February on pre-trial release with an electronic ankle monitor rather than be locked up.
The heartbroken father and Shauntel said they’ve cut off all ties with Hudson.
“The situation is deeply painful and complex for the entire family,” Christopher said last month.
Anna’s father has previously said he will not be attending the trial and re-living the traumatic experience.
