TITUSVILLE, Fla. – The teenage stepbrother of Anna Kepner “is a suspect” in the 18-year-old’s death on a cruise ship, according to new court documents filed by both of the stepbrother’s parents as part of a child custody case.
Anna Kepner died on the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7 while the cruise ship was at sea, according to the Miami-Dade County medical examiner.
The 18-year-old’s body was found by a housekeeper under the bed in her stateroom the day before the ship docked in Miami, law enforcement sources told CBS News.
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The FBI, which is investigating the Titusville teen’s death, has not disclosed details about its probe.
Anna Kepner was joined on the cruise by her father Christopher Kepner, her stepmother Shauntel Kepner, and at least two of Shauntel Kepner’s children from another marriage, court records indicate.
Those children, a 16-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl, are the subject of a child custody dispute between Shauntel Kepner and her ex-husband Thomas Hudson, court records show.
Shauntel Kepner filed an emergency motion Monday seeking to delay an upcoming child custody court hearing, citing Anna Kepner’s death on the cruise ship.
“An extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein [Shauntel Kepner] will not be able to testify at the hearing at this time,” an attorney for Shauntel Kepner wrote. “[Shauntel Kepner] has been advised through discussion with FBI investigators and her attorneys that a criminal case may be initiated against one of [her] minor children.”
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Hudson filed an emergency motion in the child custody case the same day stating their “16-year-old child is now a suspect in the death of [Anna Kepner] during the cruise.”
Hudson indicated the 16-year-old had been “released from custody” and is “residing with a third party.”
The following day, Shauntel Kepner filed a response in court that also stated their 16-year-old son “is a suspect regarding this death which occurred on a cruise ship.”
The court filing states the 16-year-old is currently living with a relative of his mother.
“This was to ensure the safety of the youngest child of the parties as well as the safety of the remaining child of the Step-Father,” an attorney for Shauntel Kepner wrote.
Hudson and Shauntel Kepner divorced in February 2023, court records indicate.
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Shauntel Kepner married Christopher Kepner in December 2024, state records show.
Anna Kepner is Christopher Kepner’s biological daughter, according to court documents.
Attorneys for Hudson and Shauntel Kepner did not immediately respond to emails from News 6 offering the opportunity for additional comment.
Following her death, students and community members created a memorial around her car, which remained parked at the school. Parents and classmates described her as a caring teenager who volunteered in her grandparents’ neighborhood and was open about her faith.
Anna Kepner’s celebration of life service will be Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Grove Church on Harrison and Barna in Titusville.
This is a developing story.