New developments have emerged in the investigation surrounding the tragic death of a Florida teenager aboard a Carnival cruise ship.
In a surprising twist, a court document from a separate family court case hints that legal action might be pursued against a minor in connection to the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner. Her body was discovered earlier this month on a Carnival cruise, raising concerns and questions.
This revelation came to light through an emergency motion, which was accessed by ABC News, CBS News, and various other media organizations, filed within a divorce proceeding involving Shauntel Hudson, Kepner’s stepmother.
The motion sought to postpone a custody hearing, citing information allegedly provided by FBI investigators to Hudson. Her lawyers indicated that a minor child of Hudson’s could potentially face charges related to Kepner’s death, according to reports from several news outlets.
Kepner was reportedly enjoying a Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon with her father, stepmother, and stepsiblings when she mysteriously vanished.
As of Wednesday, authorities have not filed charges or made any arrests concerning the teen’s passing. Details about the circumstances of her death remain scarce, and investigators have yet to disclose the cause.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News Kepner’s body was found by a housekeeper under the bed in her stateroom on the ship, which returned to Port Miami on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The Miami-Dade County medical examiner lists her time of death as Friday, Nov. 8 at 11:17 a.m.
Following news of her death, Carnival released a statement that said it was working with the FBI Miami office to investigate the incident and that, “Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI,” the company said in a statement.
Her family previously told ABC News that they wanted her to be remembered for her generosity and spirit. Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, also shared tributes to Kepner on its Facebook page.
