Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school student, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family trip in November, in a case that has since led to murder and s3xual ass@ult charges against her teenage stepbrother.
Her body was discovered hidden under a bed in a cabin she shared with two other teenagers, including Timothy Hudson, 16. Authorities later determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxia, meaning her breathing had been restricted by force.
Hudson was initially charged as a juvenile, but Beth Bloom ruled that he would be prosecuted as an adult, bringing the case into federal court jurisdiction due to the incident occurring in international waters.
Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, said the family is seeking justice. “Justice needs to be served. That is where the family stands,” he said, adding that Hudson should remain in custody.
He also described the emotional toll of the loss, stating: “The loss of my daughter is a pain that will never fully heal,” and emphasised the family’s belief in “accountability and in the importance of justice being carried out.”
He continued: “Our daughter’s life matters, and we will continue to speak out to honour her, to seek accountability, and to ensure that her case is not forgotten.”
At earlier court appearances, Hudson was seen wearing a cap and hoodie pulled tightly around his face. Due to his age at the time, details of the proceedings had initially been restricted. He was placed under supervision with an electronic monitor while living with a relative, with court records later allowing limited work activity with his father.
Investigators believe the case is being handled at the federal level because the incident occurred at sea rather than within a specific US state.
Anna, a cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Florida, was remembered in tributes as a “bubbly” and outgoing teenager who loved her family deeply and had aspirations to continue cheerleading at university. At her memorial, loved ones honoured her by wearing bright colours, celebrating what they described as her “bright and beautiful soul.”