A heartbreaking final post shared by the 18-year-old cheerleader who was found dead on a cruise ship has surfaced.
As previously reported, Anna Kepner was traveling aboard the Carnival Horizon to the Caribbean on Saturday (November 8) when she tragically died under mysterious circumstances.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the young girl's passing in a statement and added: “Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI," per The Independent.
The exact cause of Anna's death has not been disclosed, and the cruise line noted that further details could not be shared as the matter remains under federal investigation.
FBI detectives are investigating after the death of a teen on board a Carnival cruise ship. Credit: Instagram
A Cryptic Final Message
Just weeks before her death, Kepner shared a poignant and cryptic TikTok post that many now view with heartbreak.
The video, uploaded on October 30, featured an on-screen caption reading: “You deserve to be happy, but if it ain’t with me, then nvm.”
It remains unclear who the message was for, but the post hinted at emotional struggles that she may have been facing.
In another clip, Kepner reflected on hardship and forgiveness, writing: “I don’t know why I’ve been through what I’ve been through, but I can promise you I never deserved it.
"Am I mad at those people for what they did to me? No. Am I upset? Yes. But at the end of the day, we are all humans that make mistakes.”
A Bright Future Cut Short
Kepner, a straight-A student from Titusville, Florida, had recently completed her high school studies and was preparing to graduate in May.
According to her family, she had taken steps toward joining the military, passing her qualification test and speaking with recruiters about her future career.
“When she walked into a room, she would light it up,” her loved ones told ABC News.
“If you were sad, she’d make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school.”
Kepner was also known for her athleticism.
She began gymnastics at the age of two and went on to become a cheerleader on her high school’s varsity team.
Beyond athletics, she loved the water, earning both her boater’s license and scuba certification.
“She was a people person,” her family shared.
“She loved being around people. She had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to.”
Tributes have poured in from Kepner’s friends, classmates, and community members.
Her car, still parked in her high school parking lot, has become a memorial site covered with flowers and heartfelt messages.
Her grandmother, who affectionately called her “Anna Banana,” told the publication, “She was the best child you could ever meet. We’ll always remember her for who she was.”
Kepner’s cause of death remains unknown. Credit: Jeff Greenberg/Getty
The Carnival Horizon can carry nearly 4,000 guests and is primarily used for Caribbean voyages departing from Miami and Galveston.
The FBI Miami Field Office has not released further information on the investigation, but its involvement suggests that foul play or unusual circumstances are being considered.
Our thoughts continue to be with Kepner's loved ones at this time.