Homicide Charges Filed Against Stepbrother in Cruise Ship Death
A 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with homicide as a minor in connection with the death of Anna Kepner, a Florida teen who was found deceased aboard a Carnival cruise ship last November.
Court documents, citing social media from the Kepner family, indicate that the stepbrother, identified as T.H. in court filings, was charged by the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida on February 3, 2026.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The charges were revealed in an emergency filing dated February 20. This filing is part of an ongoing custody dispute between the stepbrother's parents, Thomas Hudson and Shauntel Kepner.
The case against the minor is currently under seal and is being overseen by Miami federal judge Beth Bloom. Media was not permitted in the courtroom during a February 6 hearing due to the sealed nature of the proceedings.
Former Palm Beach state attorney Dave Aronberg noted that federal charges against minors are typically sealed due to extensive federal protections. He added that an indictment might be unsealed if the individual is later charged as an adult.
Background of the Incident
Anna Kepner, 18, was on a Caribbean cruise with her father, stepmother, and three stepsiblings aboard the Carnival Horizon. She died on November 7, and her body was discovered by a housekeeper under the bed in her stateroom.
Family members reported that Kepner had felt unwell the night before and returned to her room. A search began when she did not appear for breakfast the following morning.
The FBI has been investigating Kepner's death, as the incident occurred in international waters, granting the agency jurisdiction. Law enforcement sources previously stated that investigators believe Kepner may have been strangled during an altercation, with potential alcohol involvement.
Both the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida and the FBI have declined to comment on the developments in the case. Carnival Cruise Line has stated its cooperation with the federal investigation.