The stepbrother of a Florida teenager who passed away on a Carnival cruise ship recently appeared in federal court in Miami. This development is part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of her untimely death.
Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Titusville, tragically died aboard the Carnival Horizon in November while on a family vacation. Her stepbrother, who is 16, was seen leaving juvenile court before making his way to the adult federal court on Friday, as reported by FOX 35.
The teenager, who is under investigation in connection with Anna’s death, was accompanied by his attorney when he appeared in adult federal court in Miami on February 6, 2026.
Witnesses observed the young man entering the courthouse, wearing a camouflage hoodie with his face obscured by a baseball cap pulled low and a hood tightly wrapped around his head.
Anna Kepner was found deceased on the Carnival cruise ship on November 7, during a vacation she was enjoying with her family, as shared in images from her Instagram and other news sources.
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram | Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Although the FBI has not publicly identified a suspect or filed charges, filings from a separate family court dispute indicated the 16-year-old was being investigated in Anna Kepner’s death.
Anna Kepner was seen dancing with fellow holidaymakers on a Carnival Cruise Line ship, eerie footage posted online before her death shows. (TikTok/@nickcapo609)
Kepner’s mother, Heather Wright, told FOX 35 she feels a sense of relief that the case appears to be moving forward and hopes it will finally bring answers.
“Everyday I get on my phone, and first thing in the morning I will look at updates on Anna Kepner’s case,” Wright told FOX 35. “All I want is justice for my daughter.”
Kepner was discovered dead around 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 7 inside her cabin aboard the cruise ship. Authorities later ruled her death a homicide caused by “mechanical asphyxiation,” according to a report.
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)
According to investigators, Kepner was found under the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets. The cabin was shared with her stepbrother.
The FBI is leading the investigation because Kepner’s death occurred in international waters as the cruise ship was returning to Miami after the weeklong Caribbean trip, according to People Magazine.
The FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
