The family of an 18-year-old woman found dead on a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month has spoken out after her stepbrother emerged as a suspect. Anna Kepner, from Titusville, Florida, was discovered under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests on the Carnival Horizon on 8 November.
Investigators told ABC News that Kepner died by asphyxiation from a bar hold, with bruises on her neck. Her death certificate, provided by the family, classified the death as a homicide, stating she was 'mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)'. The Miami-Dade medical examiner has not yet released autopsy or toxicology reports.
Kepner's grandparents, Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner, revealed that authorities had informed them her 16-year-old stepbrother was a suspect. 'No matter what we find out, it's not going to bring either one of these children back,' Barbara Kepner told ABC News. The FBI has not commented on potential arrests.
Shauntel Hudson, Kepner's stepmother who was also on the cruise, appeared to confirm the stepbrother's involvement by requesting a delay in a custody hearing because one of her minor children may face criminal charges. Kepner's ex-boyfriend, Jim Thew, said there 'were signs before this' and that Kepner had complained about being uncomfortable around her stepbrother.
The stepbrother has been temporarily hospitalised for psychiatric observation after Kepner's death and was questioned by law enforcement. Barbara Kepner said he told her 'he does not remember what happened'. She added that the two were 'like brother and sister' and 'two peas in a pod', but acknowledged she does not know what happened in the room.
