The father of a Florida teenager who died under suspicious circumstances aboard a cruise ship last month has evaded officials attempting to serve him with a subpoena. This comes as a bitter custody battle unfolds in the wake of the tragedy.
A Family Holiday Ends in Tragedy
Anna Kepner, 18, was discovered deceased on November 7 aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The vessel was in international waters between Mexico and Florida at the time. The teenager was on a family vacation with her blended family when she was found wrapped in a blanket and concealed under a bed in the cabin she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother and her 14-year-old half-brother.
Her death certificate states the cause as 'mechanical asphyxiation by other person(s)'. Authorities have clarified this means she died from asphyxiation caused by an arm pressed across her neck in a bar hold.
Father Avoids Court Summons Amid Custody Dispute
Anna's father, Christopher Kepner, was ordered to testify in a family court hearing on December 5 related to a custody dispute. The case involves his wife, Shauntel, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, who are fighting over their children.
However, a process server reported being unable to personally hand Christopher the subpoena. The official noted that Christopher's SUV was running in the driveway of his Titusville, Florida, home and lights were on inside, but no one answered the door despite repeated announcements. A 'No Trespassing' sign and a Ring doorbell camera were also observed.
The subpoena was eventually left on the SUV's windshield, but when the server returned, the document had vanished. Hudson is seeking custody of his daughter, arguing that Shauntel's parenting has put their son's future 'in jeopardy', a claim she denies.
FBI Probe and Family Allegations
While no official suspects have been named, it emerged last month that the FBI is investigating the 16-year-old stepbrother in connection with Anna's death. Details surfaced during the family court proceedings.
Anna's ex-boyfriend, Josh Tew, shared disturbing allegations at a memorial service last week. He claimed Anna's younger brother heard yelling and chairs being thrown in the cabin on the night she died. The stepbrother allegedly prevented the younger boy from entering the room.
Josh also alleged he had previously 'caught' the 16-year-old stepbrother trying to get on top of Anna nine months prior. He stated he had contacted the FBI with his concerns.
Christopher Kepner has told media he wants whoever is responsible to 'face the consequences' but has said investigators have shared minimal details with the family. Anna, who was due to graduate high school in May, had aspirations to join the US Navy and later become a K9 police officer.
