A family’s tragic loss has turned into a complex legal battle as Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old half-brother is charged with murder in connection with her death. The 18-year-old woman was found dead in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on November 7, 2025, during a family vacation. The devastating discovery of Anna’s body hidden under her bed leads to a mysterious and heartbreaking sequence of events that continues to play out in the courts.
In newly obtained court documents, Anna’s stepfather, Chris Kepner, and his wife, Shontelle, Anna’s mother, are grappling with the traumatic loss, while also facing allegations of their teenage son’s involvement. The family is also embroiled in a legal dispute over the custody of Chris and Shontelle’s nine-year-old daughter. On February 20, 2024, Thomas Hudson, the father of a nine-year-old girl, filed an emergency petition in Brevard County, Florida, seeking custody of his daughter due to a “significant and unexpected change in circumstances.” The petition cites the murder charges against Anna’s half-brother as a significant factor in requesting immediate changes to parental responsibility and custody arrangements.
According to court filings, Anna’s death was initially ruled a tragic accident, but it was later determined that she died of asphyxiation due to the grip of the bar. Her half-brother, whose name has not been publicly released due to his age, was charged with murder by the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida on February 3, 2024. The charges relate to an incident on the cruise ship, which was in international waters at the time of Anna’s death. Because the tragedy occurred in open water, the case has been taken up by federal authorities, and the 16-year-old was brought to federal court on February 6 for his first appearance.
This development has created further emotional stress for Anna’s family. In a public statement, Shontelle and Chris Kepner expressed their outrage and sadness at the teen’s release following his court appearance. He expressed his grief over the ongoing legal process, saying in a statement, “It is extremely painful and upsetting for our family that the person responsible is able to walk free.” “This reality heightens our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we are living with the loss of our child every day, the person responsible has yet to be held fully accountable.”
The case, which is now under investigation by the FBI, is raising difficult questions about accountability and justice, especially as the family grapples with both criminal proceedings and a custody dispute. Federal prosecutors and the FBI have declined to comment on the investigation, citing the ongoing legal process.
As Anna’s family grapples with their devastating loss, the public is focused on what happens next in this complex and heartbreaking case. While the legal proceedings continue, the Kepners are faced with not only the loss of their daughter, but also the possibility of the family breaking apart due to tragedy and legal disputes.