The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, the Florida teenager found strangled to death on a Carnival cruise ship, is now residing with a relative after being named a suspect in the ongoing investigation into her killing.
Cruise Trip Taken Without Father's Consent
In a recent family court motion, the teen suspect's father, Thomas Hudson, stated he did not give permission for his son to go on the fateful cruise. He claimed his ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson, who is also the boy's mother, "failed to properly supervise" their child during the holiday, according to Associated Press reports.
The trip aboard the Carnival Horizon from Miami to the Caribbean in November included Anna, her father Christopher Kepner, her stepmother Shauntel Hudson, Shauntel's two minor children, and Anna's grandparents.
A Tragic Discovery and a Homicide Ruling
Anna Kepner, 18, was found asphyxiated on November 7. Her body was discovered under a bed in the cabin she shared with the 16-year-old suspect and her 14-year-old biological brother. Reports indicate she was covered with life jackets. The adults on the trip were staying in a cabin directly across the hallway.
Authorities have since officially ruled her death a homicide. Shauntel Hudson stated in court documents that her son has been staying with a relative since the family returned from the cruise "to ensure the safety of the youngest child of the parties."
Custody Dispute and Confidential Arrangements
The tragedy has triggered a custody battle initiated by Thomas Hudson, who is seeking custody of his younger children due to safety concerns. This includes the teen suspect and a nine-year-old daughter he shares with Shauntel Hudson.
A document filed on November 13 in the custody case states, "All parties agree that (the teen's) location will remain confidential" and will only be disclosed to his parents and law enforcement.
During a family court hearing on Friday, December 5, Shauntel Hudson's attorney noted it is unclear how long the teen will remain with relatives. This is as authorities await toxicology results and psychological evaluations while considering potential charges.
Shauntel Hudson told the court that the three teenagers had wanted to share a cabin, describing them as being "like best friends." Anna, a high school cheerleader set to graduate in 2026, had felt unwell during dinner the night before her death and returned to the cabin. She was reported missing the next morning and was found by a cabin maid around 11 a.m.
The judge ruled on Friday that the Hudsons' youngest child is not in immediate danger while living with her mother and father. No charges have yet been filed in Anna Kepner's death. Prosecutors are weighing whether to pursue federal or state charges, a complex decision given the crime occurred in international waters, which typically falls under federal jurisdiction, though juvenile federal prosecutions are rare.
