A chilling new development has erupted in the already heartbreaking mystery surrounding the suspicious death of a Florida teenager aboard a luxury cruise ship — a revelation that is now tearing her family apart.
Eighteen-year-old Anna Kepner, a bright and beloved high school cheerleader from Florida, was discovered dead under deeply disturbing circumstances on November 7, 2025, on the Carnival Horizon as the ship headed back toward Miami. And now, a shocking new court filing points to a possible criminal investigation that may focus on someone within her own family.
Details and Documents Come to Light
Although investigators have released very few official updates, the Daily Mail reported on Monday, November 17, that a cabin steward found Anna’s body hidden under a bed in her stateroom, concealed beneath life jackets and a blanket.
The following day, November 18, the outlet obtained documents connected to an emergency court motion filed in Brevard County by Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson.
The filing strongly suggests that the FBI is weighing criminal charges against one of Shauntel’s underage children.
Her attorneys submitted the motion in connection with her ongoing 2024 divorce case, asking the court for an extension because she is dealing with an “extremely sensitive and serious circumstance.”
Federal Authorities Zero In
Shauntel married Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, not long before the cruise. She entered the marriage with three children — one adult and two minors.
The court filing outlines the FBI’s current focus. “There is an active investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.) related to the sudden death of eighteen-year-old Anna Kepner,” the document reads.
It continues, “The deceased is the daughter of the respondent’s partner, and the respondent and her minor children were all aboard the cruise ship when the incident occurred. The respondent has been informed, through conversations with the FBI and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the involved minor children.”
But the revelation doesn’t end there.
The core of Shauntel’s request is that she wants the court to postpone a scheduled custody hearing brought by her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. She is concerned that anything she says in family court might harm the criminal investigation involving her child.
Earlier Daily Mail reporting revealed that Anna had been feeling unwell the night before her death. She reportedly returned to her cabin early, and when she didn’t show up for breakfast the next morning, relatives began searching for her.
The Search for Answers Continues
Federal agents are now reviewing every moment of CCTV footage from the Carnival Horizon, which arrived in Miami on November 8. Investigators are also examining electronic key card data to determine who entered Anna’s cabin and at what times.
Anna’s phone has been seized for forensic analysis, and FBI agents are interviewing passengers, crew members, and relatives in their effort to understand what happened. Carnival Cruise Line says it is cooperating fully.
So far, the FBI, Shauntel, and Chris have not made official public comments about this new development. But Anna’s grieving father spoke to the Daily Mail shortly after the tragedy.
A Father Left in the Dark
Chris shared the emotional turmoil his family has been suffering since Anna’s death — and the painful uncertainty that remains. “I have no idea what is going on right now,” he said, clearly devastated. “We’re just trying to stay still and wait for answers.”
Chris, who works as a crane operator in Titusville, explained that Anna’s entire blended family — her stepmother, step-siblings, and younger siblings — had been vacationing together when disaster struck.
Following Anna’s death, the whole group was detained for questioning and removed from the ship along with other passengers.
Silence From Investigators
Because the ship was sailing between Cozumel and Miami, the case falls under FBI jurisdiction rather than local authorities. For Chris, the silence has been agonizing.
“The FBI hasn’t given me any information,” he said. “I assume they’ll reach out eventually, but right now I know as little as everyone else.”
According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner, Anna was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. on the ship, though her exact cause of death has not been released publicly.
A Life Full of Promise Cut Short
In a statement to ABC News, Anna’s family described her as “a happy, bubbly, straight-A student” with endless potential. “She lit up every room she walked into,” they said. “If you were sad, she’d make you laugh. She was the funniest little person at school.”
They revealed that she had been preparing for a future in public service. “She had just taken the test to join the military,” they said. “She was talking to recruiters. She knew exactly what she wanted — to help her community.”
A Legacy That Lives On
Beyond school achievements, Anna was known for her kindness and commitment to helping others. She often volunteered in her community and was well-loved by local businesses in Titusville.
Her family says she lived her life with joy, energy, and an eagerness to explore every opportunity.
She began gymnastics at two years old, later joined her high school’s varsity cheer team, and loved all things water-related — boating, scuba diving, swimming. She adored makeup, shopping, and spending time with friends.
To her family, she was fondly known as “Anna Banana,” and she leaves behind a legacy filled with laughter, ambition, and compassion.
Family Pulls Back From Public View
As the FBI continues its investigation behind closed doors, speculation has exploded across social media, adding even more pain to a grieving family already drowning in uncertainty.
“I’ve had to shut everyone out,” Chris admitted. “I don’t watch TV anymore. We’ve had to stop going online altogether.”
The tragedy, the rumors, and now the possibility of one child being investigated have plunged the family into even deeper turmoil — all while they still wait for the truth about what happened to their daughter.
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