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Teen Stepbrother Placed With Relatives After Carnival Horizon Homicide; FBI Reviewing Evidence

03:54 AM, 12/06/2025
Teen Stepbrother Placed With Relatives After Carnival Horizon Homicide; FBI Reviewing Evidence

Anna Kepner was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7; her death has been ruled a homicide by "mechanical asphyxiation by other person(s)." Her 16-year-old stepbrother, identified in court filings as a suspect, is now staying with a relative at an undisclosed location known only to his parents and law enforcement. No charges have been filed; the FBI is reviewing evidence and weighing whether to hand it to state or local prosecutors. A judge denied an emergency custody request tied to the case, and further hearings are scheduled.

Stepbrother Moved to Relative’s Care Amid FBI Review

The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner — who was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7 — has been placed with a relative at an undisclosed location known only to his parents and law enforcement, court filings and statements made during a Dec. 5 custody hearing show.

Family Action After Authorities Named Teen A Suspect

Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, told the court that she and her husband, Christopher Kepner, arranged for the teenager’s temporary placement after being informed he was considered a suspect. Shauntel’s attorney, Millicent Athanason, said the move was intended to "remove any risk of any danger to any of the other children in the home." Athanason also said the family has cooperated with investigators.

"My clients were informed [the teenager] was a suspect, and since his release from the hospital after his return to the United States he was placed with a relative of the mother," Athanason said in court.

Documents and Legal Status

Copies of documents obtained by news outlets indicate the teen is staying with a third party who holds power of attorney and cannot remove him without consent from both parents. The filings state the teen’s location is known only to Shauntel, her ex-husband Thomas Hudson, and law enforcement.

No arrests or criminal charges have been filed. Authorities have ruled Anna’s death a homicide: her death certificate lists the cause as "mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)." Athanason suggested in court that criminal charges could follow, and said the FBI is determining whether to refer evidence to state or local prosecutors. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment.

Related Custody Proceedings

The custody hearing followed an emergency motion filed by Anna’s father, Thomas Hudson, seeking custody of his youngest daughter after Anna’s death. Judge Michelle Studstill denied that emergency request on Dec. 5. Thomas is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 17 for a contempt hearing after alleging his ex-wife took their children out of the country without his permission and describing other custody disputes in recent months.

The case remains under active investigation, and officials have not released the teen’s name or confirmed any suspect publicly. Nearly a month after the discovery of Anna’s body on the ship, there have been no public arrests or charges.

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