In a heart-wrenching revelation, the father of Anna, an 18-year-old cheerleader who passed away on the cruise, expressed that his stepson should face justice if found responsible for her untimely demise.

Christopher Kepner conveyed his disbelief, describing his 16-year-old stepson as someone who had always appeared to be “a normal kid.” He remains shocked by the tragic event that claimed his daughter’s life.

Anna was discovered deceased on the Carnival Horizon on November 7 while vacationing with her family, which included her father, stepmother, grandparents, and several siblings. Her body was found wrapped in a blanket and surrounded by life jackets in the cabin she shared with her stepbrother.

“I want him to face the consequences,” Kepner stated in an interview with People, affirming his commitment to seeking justice for his daughter.

Anna Kepner, aged 18, met her tragic end on November 7 during a family holiday on a Carnival cruise ship. 

“I do not stand behind what my stepson has done,” he said. Kepner did not directly say his stepson was responsible for Anna’s death.

“I cannot say that he is responsible, but I can’t decline,” he added.

Anna’s death has reportedly been ruled a homicide by “mechanical asphyxiation,” but authorities have not announced any suspects or arrests. She was found in the cabin she shared with her stepbrother, relatives have said.

Mechanical asphyxia means an external force obstructs breathing, Dr. Priya Banerjee, a board-certified forensic pathologist, previously told Fox News Digital.

Dr. Michael Baden, the former chief medical examiner of New York City, said mechanical asphyxiation is not always a homicide, though it can be, and it is up to prosecutors to determine any charges.

Anna Kepner’s family said she had dreams of joining the military. (Instagram/Anna Kepner)

The FBI is leading the investigation and has not publicly named any suspects.

Anna’s stepbrother was identified as a potential “suspect” by his own parents in court filings amid an unrelated custody dispute. No charges have been filed.

“He was the only one that was in the room, and the FBI has an ongoing investigation in which they will have to provide the evidence to say that he did do it or did not do this,” Kepner told the outlet. “And I would’ve never thought that any of this would’ve happened.”

Christopher Kepner (center, red hat) arrives at a memorial service for his daughter, Anna Kepner, at the Grove Church in Titusville, Florida, on Nov. 20, 2025. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital)

“Right now, my best course of action is to let the FBI do what they’re doing. They have the evidence that they need. When they make the arrest, then we’ll start seeing the justice side of things,” he said.

Kepner was a high school varsity cheerleader who planned to join the Navy after graduation and ultimately wanted to become a K-9 police officer.