The tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival Cruise ship in early November has been ruled a homicide, leaving her loved ones grappling with the devastating news. Anna, who was on a family vacation, was discovered dead on November 7 on the Carnival Horizon. Authorities determined her cause of death to be “mechanical asphyxiation,” yet no suspect or person of interest has been identified thus far. The FBI has stepped in to investigate the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise.
Anna was found in her cabin, which she had been sharing with her stepbrother. This heartbreaking situation has left her family in shock and searching for answers. Her aunt, Krystal Wright, shared her belief with Fox 35 Orlando that Anna, a spirited cheerleader, fiercely resisted her attacker.
“I know Anna fought. I know she fought for her life, so it’s rough. It’s rough,” Wright expressed, echoing the family’s anguish and determination to seek justice for Anna.
Anna Kepner has been identified by her family as the ill-fated passenger aboard the Carnival Horizon, a fact that has resonated widely through social media and news outlets.
Anna Kepner was identified by her family as the passenger who died onboard the Carnival Horizon. (Instagram/Anna Kepner)
“I know Anna fought. I know she fought for her life, so it’s rough. It’s rough,” Wright said.
Anna’s aunt said she’s frustrated that there’s still no arrest, despite the death reportedly being ruled a homicide.
“We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, why has he not been charged yet? What’s happening there?” Wright asked. “It’s turmoil. We’re just sitting here waiting.”
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)
While authorities haven’t announced any criminal charges, stepmother Shauntel Kepner revealed that Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother has been eyed as a suspect. She made the claim in a court filing amid a legal battle with her ex-husband Thomas Hudson.
Anna’s 15-year-old ex-boyfriend recalled an instance where the stepbrother allegedly tried to get on top of her during a FaceTime call.
“When I was on FaceTime with her, and she was lying down, and her brother tried to go on top of her,” the ex-boyfriend said.
The ex-boyfriend reported the incident to Anna’s parents, saying she had previously complained about being “uncomfortable” around her stepbrother. Anna’s ex-boyfriend said he’d be on the cruise had they not broken up.
Anna Kepner’s family said she had dreams of joining the military. (Instagram/Anna Kepner)
In a court filing, Christopher Kepner, Anna’s father, told People that “I want him to face the consequences … I will be fighting to make sure that does happen.”
“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 said. “And I would’ve never thought that any of this would’ve happened.”
