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FBI Briefed Family That Stepsibling May Face Charges After Anna Kepner Found Dead on Cruise

Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead under a bed aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 8, and the FBI has confirmed an investigation. In a court filing tied to a custody dispute, her stepmother said the FBI briefed her that a minor stepsibling may face criminal charges, though any connection to Anna's death is unclear. Attorneys disputed whether the teens had been given alcohol on the cruise; the 16-year-old was reportedly hospitalized soon after the body was found. No suspects or charges have been publicly announced.

01:00 AM, 11/22/2025Society
FBI Briefed Family That Stepsibling May Face Charges After Anna Kepner Found Dead on Cruise

On Nov. 8, 18-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida, was found dead under a bed aboard the Carnival Horizon. The FBI has confirmed it is investigating her death, but officials have not publicly named any persons of interest or announced charges.

In a court filing tied to an ongoing custody dispute, Anna's stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, said she was briefed by the FBI that one of her minor children may face criminal charges. The filing did not indicate whether any potential charges would be connected to Anna's death.

Details from the custody hearing

At a custody hearing on Nov. 20, Shauntel's attorney, Millicent Athanason, told the court that the 16-year-old stepsibling was hospitalized "immediately after" Anna's body was discovered. Scott Smith, the attorney for Shauntel's ex-husband, argued in court that both teens had been served alcoholic drinks because the cruise was in international waters and said Shauntel failed to exercise appropriate supervision.

Athanason countered that ship video reviewed in the case showed no evidence the teens had been drinking. Those assertions were made in the context of the custody dispute and do not constitute proof of criminal conduct.

Investigation status and family response

Investigators continue to probe the circumstances of Anna's death. Authorities have released limited information publicly, and no arrests or charges related to the death have been announced.

Family and friends remember Anna as "bubbly, funny and outgoing," saying she "never had a filter" and will be deeply missed.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the FBI.

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