Timeline: Final Hours of 18-Year-Old Anna Kepner Before Fatal Cruise-Ship Homicide

Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school senior remembered as "pure energy: bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself," died while traveling with family aboard the Carnival Horizon in early November. Authorities later ruled her death a homicide. Family documents and court filings indicate federal investigators remain involved and a criminal inquiry has been opened, though no arrests have been announced.

Timeline of events

Departure and passengers

The Carnival Horizon departed Miami on a six-night Western Caribbean voyage. Onboard were Anna’s grandparents, Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner; her father Christopher Kepner and his wife Shauntel Hudson; Anna and her two younger siblings; and two of Shauntel’s children.

Ports of call

The ship called at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and George Town, Grand Cayman, then stopped in Cozumel, Mexico before beginning the two-day transit back to Miami.

Last confirmed sightings

During the return leg the family had dinner together. Anna told relatives her braces were bothering her and left the table early to return to her cabin. Later that evening she visited her grandmother in the ship's casino; her grandmother recalls Anna saying, "Meemaw, I love you guys, I'll see you later." That was the last time she was seen by family.

Discovery and medical findings

A death certificate provided to the family lists the manner of death as homicide and records the cause as "mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)." The certificate lists the time of death as 11:17 a.m. Ship records indicate a housekeeper later discovered Anna under a mattress in the stateroom she shared with a minor stepsibling.

Federal response and legal developments

When the ship docked in Miami, federal agents were present and opened an investigation. No one was detained at the time, but court filings in an ongoing custody dispute state that a 16-year-old stepbrother is under criminal investigation and was subsequently checked into a mental health facility. In filings seeking a postponement of custody proceedings, one parent indicated they had been advised a criminal case "may be initiated against one of the minor children" involved in the dispute.

Family reaction and community response

Anna's father said he could not confirm his estranged stepson was responsible but could not rule out the possibility, noting investigators must produce evidence to determine responsibility. Students at Anna's high school left flowers on her car, and friends and relatives held a memorial service at Grove Church. Anna's mother later said she attended the memorial in disguise after believing she had not been invited.

Note: Investigations into deaths at sea can involve multiple agencies and take time to complete. The details above reflect information shared by family members and court filings; official conclusions will depend on ongoing investigative work.