The death of an American teenager on a family holiday has been officially classified as a homicide, sending shockwaves through the international community and sparking a complex investigation.
A Tragic Discovery at Sea
Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Titusville, Florida, was found dead on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship earlier this month. The grim discovery was made by a maid as the vessel sailed between Mexico and Florida. Anna's lifeless body was located concealed under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets.
Her parents, Christopher Kepner and Heather Wright, have been left devastated by the loss. The teenager, remembered as a high school cheerleader, was travelling with her father, stepmother, her stepmother’s two children, and her grandparents when the tragedy struck.
The Official Cause of Death
After weeks of intense speculation on social media and little information from authorities, a significant development has emerged. Anna's death certificate states the cause of death as 'mechanical asphyxia' and confirms she was 'mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)'.
Stephen Nelson, a chief medical examiner in Central Florida who is not directly involved in the case, explained that mechanical asphyxia occurs when an object or physical force prevents a person from breathing. 'In some way, shape or form, your airway has been cut off,' Mr Nelson stated. He also highlighted that the concealment of Anna's body was a 'very troubling' aspect that supported the homicide finding.
A Family's Last Moments and Ongoing Investigation
The night before she was found, Anna had been with her grandparents in the ship's casino. Her grandmother, Barbara Kepner, recounted to ABC News that Anna's last words to them were, 'Meemaw, I love you guys. I'll see you... I'll see you later,' as she left for bed. Barbara never saw her granddaughter alive again.
The following day, upon learning of the tragedy, Barbara said she 'couldn't stop screaming.' The FBI and the medical examiner’s office in South Florida have been investigating the case for weeks, with the official death certificate now providing a crucial piece of evidence.
Legal experts specialising in maritime law note that the delay in filing charges is not unusual for incidents occurring in international waters. Houston attorney Marcus Spagnoletti commented, 'When I've had international marine deaths... it can take quite some time to get the final autopsy reports.' The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this tragic homicide.
