New Details Emerge Amid Investigation Into the Death of Anna Kepner, Teen Found Dead on Carnival Cruise

A family dispute has surfaced in court filings as a young relative of Anna Kepner is now under investigation following her recent death on a cruise ship.

A family mourning the loss of Anna Kepner is now facing even more heartbreak — court records show her 16-year-old stepbrother is being investigated in connection with her death on a Carnival cruise earlier this month.

Anna Kepner smiling for the camera. | Source: Facebook/TrueCrimeWithAD

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now looking into the teen, known in legal documents only as "T.H.," as part of their ongoing investigation.

Custody Dispute Reveals Allegations and Delays as Case Unfolds

According to CBS, the teen's abbreviated name surfaced in a custody battle between Shauntel Hudson, Anna's stepmother, and Thomas Hudson, her reported ex-husband.

In a November 18, 2025, filing with Brevard County Circuit Court, Shauntel wrote, "There is an open investigation regarding [Kepner's] death… and T.H. is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship."

Just one day earlier, Thomas had submitted a similar court motion, also identifying the 16-year-old as a suspect. CBS also reported that an unrelated court filing within the same custody dispute suggested potential charges may be forthcoming.

In a request to delay a divorce hearing, Shauntel explained, "An extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein the Respondent/Mother will not be able to testify at the hearing at this time."

The FBI has not released a public statement naming any suspects, but confirmed the case remains active. According to family members, Anna's final words the night before she died were that she wasn't feeling well and was going back to her room she shared with her stepbrother and one other stepsibling — a detail now weighed with renewed attention.

In the days since those court filings surfaced, Shauntel has adjusted her public presence. She has set her Instagram account to private and deleted most of her Facebook posts, leaving only two visible. She has also changed her profile photo to an image of Anna.

These developments follow earlier findings about Anna's cause of death and have further intensified scrutiny over what happened aboard the Carnival cruise.

As previously reported, Anna was found to have died from asphyxiation caused by a bar hold, a maneuver involving an arm pressed across the neck, according to a source familiar with the investigation. That same source confirmed that two bruises were noted on the side of her neck.

Anna Kepner smiling with fellow students. | Source: Facebook/Temple Christians School

No Drugs, No Assault, but Still No Public Word from Authorities

There were no indications of sexual assault or substances in her system based on early findings. However, the results from the full autopsy and toxicology assessments are still pending. Neither the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office nor the FBI has offered public comment on the case.

The Carnival Horizon returned to PortMiami the day after her death, on Saturday, November 8. Since then, federal investigators have been reviewing surveillance footage and continuing inquiries into the case. As of Saturday, November 22, no charges have been filed.

Anna Kepner smiles and poses alongside classmates. | Source: Facebook/Temple Christian School

'Pure Energy': Obituary Captures a Spirited, Unforgettable Young Life

Anna's obituary, published by North Brevard Funeral Home, described her as "pure energy: bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself."

She was remembered for her unfiltered humor, spontaneous gestures of kindness, and love for music, cheerleading, boating, and arts and crafts. She had earned her boater's license and scuba certification, and she dreamed of joining the U.S. Navy after graduation to become a K9 police officer.

Anna Kepner enjoying an outing with fellow students. | Source: Facebook/Temple Christian School

Crowd in Blue Gathers to Celebrate a Life That Lit up the Room

A Celebration of Life service was held on Thursday, November 20, at The Grove Church in Titusville. Guests were asked to wear colors instead of black in honor of Anna's vibrant personality, with her favorite color — blue — standing out among the crowd.

The family declined any GoFundMe requests and instead invited friends to leave flowers on Anna's car at Temple Christian School or make donations through the funeral home.

"She danced in the light she left behind, and it will never fade," Anna's obituary read. As authorities continue their investigation, the family has asked for privacy and for Anna to be remembered with "laughter, color, sunshine, and love."

As previously reported, Anna's grieving mother, Heather Wright, remembered her beloved daughter with tear-jerking reflections about how joyful and compassionate she was.

Anna tragically lost her life aboard Carnival's Horizon cruise ship on November 7. She was just 18 years old and a native of Titusville, Florida, who was preparing to graduate from Temple Christian School.

'She Never Really Complained': Heartbroken Mom Remembers Her Daughter's Joyful Spirit

Heather painted a vivid portrait of the daughter she adored — a young woman brimming with a contagious zest for life. "She was a really good child," she said in an interview. "She never really complained about much. She never really cried that much as a baby and as a teenager she was the same. Just always happy [sic]."

From her earliest years, Anna's radiant spirit left a lasting mark on those around her. Her mother fondly recalled how she was rarely seen without a smile — a fact evident in the many childhood photos Heather shared.

Anna also loved horseback riding and cheerleading, passions that allowed her to shine in her own vibrant way. But it wasn't just her hobbies that defined her — it was her kindness. "She was always trying to make everybody smile," Heather added. "An extremely happy child."

Even as their physical distance grew in recent years — with Heather living in Oklahoma — Anna's warmth and emotional presence remained deeply felt. The young woman had embraced her role as a big sister with the same boundless affection she offered to the rest of the world.

The Cruel Twist No Parent Should Ever Endure

For Heather, those memories served as both a comfort and a piercing reminder of the loss she continued to struggle to process. What made Heather's grief even more harrowing was the way she found out about her daughter's death — not through a call from authorities or a formal notification, but by piecing together fragmented posts online.

"I found out through Google," she revealed. "I ended up Googling it, because the only information I had was that my daughter was on a cruise."

Blue for Anna Kepner: Loved Ones Fill Church with Color and Heartbreak

Adding to the heartbreak, Heather had yet to hear from Anna's father or the FBI following her daughter's sudden passing.

Just days after Heather learned the truth in the most unimaginable way, mourners gathered at a Titusville church on Thursday evening, November 20, where family and friends came together to honor Anna's short but radiant life.

The sanctuary was awash in bright colors — not the sombre tones of mourning, but hues chosen deliberately to reflect Anna's vibrant spirit. Many attendees wore blue, a favorite of her family's, as a symbolic nod to the teenager's enduring joy.

"It's heartbreaking. It's so sad. This shouldn't be happening," one attendee shared, echoing the collective sorrow felt throughout the room. Those who spoke remembered Anna as outgoing, bubbly, and deeply passionate about cheerleading and being near the water.

What Happened to Anna Kepner?

Anna had been on a cruise with her father, stepmother, and 16-year-old stepbrother when she died on that Friday (November 7) at 11:17 a.m., according to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner. The FBI was investigating the case at the time, but had released little public information.

While they had not confirmed whether the case was being treated as a homicide, court documents from an unrelated custody dispute suggested authorities were focusing on her stepbrother as a suspect.

The same filings revealed that the teen was living with a relative on his mother's side, and that his mom — Anna's stepmother — had declined to testify in the custody proceedings, citing concerns that doing so could incriminate either herself or her son.

'Our Focus Is on Supporting the Family': Carnival Cruise Line Breaks Silence on Teen's Death

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that the Carnival Horizon returned to PortMiami on the morning of Saturday, November 8, following Anna's death.

They also released a statement about the tragedy. "Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, it is up to the FBI's Miami public affairs office to provide further details. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest," they added.