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Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother charged with her murder on cruise ship
Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with homicide in connection with her death.
The charge, filed by the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, comes months after the 18-year-old was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship during what was meant to be a family vacation.
Emergency Custody Battle Unfolds
The new information surfaced in an emergency petition filed in Brevard County, Florida, on February 20.
In the filing, Thomas Hudson, the stepbrother's father, petitioned for custody of his nine-year-old daughter, who has been living with his ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson, and her husband, Chris Kepner, Anna's father, since the cruise ship death.
"There has been a significant and unanticipated change in circumstances that requires the immediate transfer of sole time sharing and parental responsibility," the petition reads, cited by PEOPLE.
The document goes on to state that according to social media, Anna's teenage stepbrother "was charged by the United States Attorney in the Southern District for Florida for… and homicide of Anna Kepner.
“Immediately after the cruise, the respondent/mother and Chris Kepner expelled [the minor] from their household and neither has seen [the minor] since then.
“Social media from the Kepner family has indicated that they want the ‘nails in the coffin’ of [the minor] and that both the Kepner family and the Respondent ‘want him buried,” the document added.
The petition also alleges that "information has been obtained that will potentially call into question the judgment and parenting" of Shauntel and Chris.
What Happened On Board The Carnival Horizon
Kepner, an 18-year-old high school student from Titusville, Florida, was found dead on November 7, 2025, during a family vacation aboard the Carnival Horizon.
She had been sharing a room with her stepbrother, and her body was discovered under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests.
Kepner was last seen alive at a family dinner on November 6, the day before she died in international waters, before returning to her room because she was feeling unwell.
Per court filings, Investigators ruled that the teenager, who had aspirations of joining the Navy, died from asphyxiation from a bar hold.
The FBI hasn’t formally named Kepner’s stepbrother a suspect, and there is a case against the boy under seal, per CBS News.
Court Appearance And Release Sparks Outrage
Earlier this month, Anna's stepbrother appeared before a federal judge in Miami and was seen donning a camouflage zip-up as he walked to another courthouse. He was then processed for pre-trial release.
Following the proceedings, Shauntel and Chris released a statement expressing their anger over the decision to grant the teen release.
"At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely. This reality adds to our grief and outrage," the statement read in part.
"It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable," they added.
Since Anna died on open water while the ship was returning to Miami following a weeklong Caribbean cruise, the case is being tried in federal court.