Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Florida, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon as it returned to Miami on Nov. 8. An emergency court filing in her stepmother's divorce case says the FBI warned that "a criminal case may be initiated" against one of the stepmother's minor children, prompting the stepmother to be unable to testify. Investigators are reviewing ship surveillance, swipe-card records and cellphone data while interviewing passengers, crew and family members. Carnival says it is cooperating and the Miami FBI is leading the probe because the death occurred in international waters.
FBI Signals Possible Charges for Stepsibling After Florida Teen Found Dead on Carnival Cruise
Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Florida, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon as it returned to Miami on Nov. 8. An emergency court filing in her stepmother's divorce case says the FBI warned that "a criminal case may be initiated" against one of the stepmother's minor children, prompting the stepmother to be unable to testify. Investigators are reviewing ship surveillance, swipe-card records and cellphone data while interviewing passengers, crew and family members. Carnival says it is cooperating and the Miami FBI is leading the probe because the death occurred in international waters.
11:47 AM, 11/19/2025Society
Federal investigators have told family lawyers that criminal charges "may be initiated" against a stepsibling following the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon, according to an emergency court filing in a divorce case.
The filing, submitted in divorce proceedings involving Kepner's stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, asks to reschedule a hearing because Hudson was informed by FBI investigators that "a criminal case may be initiated" against one of her minor children. The filing adds that "an extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein the Respondent/Mother will not be able to testify at the hearing at this time."
Kepner, a Florida high school cheerleader, was on a family vacation in the Caribbean with her father, stepmother and three stepsiblings when she was discovered dead as the ship returned to Miami and docked on Nov. 8. Law enforcement sources say a housekeeper found her body under the bed in her stateroom. Family members told investigators Kepner had complained of feeling unwell the night before and had returned to her cabin; when she did not appear for breakfast the next morning, relatives say a search began.
What investigators are doing
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from the ship and analyzing electronic swipe-card records that could show who entered Kepner's cabin. Investigators are also examining her cellphone records and conducting interviews with other passengers, crew members and family.
Carnival Cruise Line has said it is cooperating with the federal probe. The FBI is involved because Kepner was a U.S. citizen and the death occurred in international waters; the Miami FBI field office is coordinating with the ship's security team. Officials have not announced any charges, and the investigation remains active.
"A criminal case may be initiated" — emergency court filing in divorce proceedings
Out of respect for the ongoing inquiry and the privacy of minors potentially involved, authorities have released limited details. The investigation may produce additional updates as evidence is reviewed and interviews continue.