Family Breaks Silence After Anna Kepner Found Dead on Cruise and Stepbrother Named as Suspect

Anna Kepner's family reflections come after the late young lady's mom spoke out about the loving and compassionate person her daughter was, and revealed how she found out about her death.

The grandparents of the beloved Anna Kepner, who tragically died aboard Carnival's Horizon cruise ship on November 7, 2025, recently sat down for an interview with ABC News. During that discussion, Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner shared their perspectives on what happened that fateful day.

They also divulged their family's dynamic, including what they know about the relationship between Anna and her stepbrother, who has been named a suspect in the case.

'We Were All Having a Great Time'...Until Everything Went Horribly Wrong

What was meant to be a joyful family getaway quickly unraveled into an unimaginable nightmare. Speaking through visible heartache, Barbara and Jeffrey recounted the devastating events of that November voyage — a trip they had hoped would become a cherished family tradition.

"We were all having a great time," Barbara said. "I couldn't fathom why anyone would wanna hurt my baby." 18-year-old Anna, described by her grandparents as a "mighty," independent young woman, was just months away from graduating from Temple Christina School.

With her eyes set on a future in the Navy, she had everything to live for. But those plans came to a tragic halt when her lifeless body was discovered aboard the Carnival Horizon, where she had been vacationing with eight relatives.

FBI Remains Tight-Lipped as Autopsy Results Are Pending

According to the Kepners, the FBI informed the family that Anna likely died from asphyxiation — possibly due to a bar hold/arm around the neck. Though official autopsy results have yet to be released, preliminary information reportedly showed no signs of sexual assault and no presence of drugs or alcohol in Anna's system.

Although the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's office declined to offer a comment as of Friday, it has been noted that the autopsy and toxicology reports, which could confirm such details, are yet to be completed.

Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has continued to decline commenting on the ongoing investigation. The gravity of the loss has left the family searching for answers.

Teen Roommates: 'If They Weren't Getting Along [...] We Had an Extra Bed'

"We were looking forward to seeing her grow," Jeffrey noted. "The cruise itself wasn't what made me excited. It was the fact that I was gonna get to spend another week with my youngest son and his family and all the grandkids."

The Kepner family dynamic, while blended, is one of deep affection and unity. The cruise included three generations across three staterooms: the grandparents, their son and his new wife, and all their combined children (in addition to Anna, the kids from her stepmother's previous marriage).

"The two younger girls stayed with the parents, and then the three teenagers, they decided amongst themselves they wanted to stay in the room together," Barbara explained. "But we had a larger room and we made it very clear that at any time if they weren't getting along, they didn't want to be together, we had an extra bed in our room that they could come to [sic]."

To Barbara and Jeffrey, the term step holds no meaning. "It's all family," Jeffrey said. "It's a blended family, yes, but that's not how our family is. Our dynamic is we're all just family."

'I Can't Accuse Him': Barbara Kepner Describes Anna Kepner's Bond with Her Stepbrother

Anna's grandparents said they welcomed the children from their son's new marriage as their own — with love, warmth, and shared traditions. "They called us Memaw, Peepaw, told us they loved us," Barbara recalled tenderly. "They were just like brother and sister," she then shared of the relationship between Anna and her stepbrother.

That bond made the news that the prime suspect in Anna's death is her own stepbrother even more crushing. According to the family, authorities told them he was the only person seen entering and exiting the cabin where he had been staying with Anna, and where she had been found.

"I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way," Barbara stated. "I can't accuse him because I don't know what happened in that room." The bereaved grandmother had even dubbed the step-siblings as "two peas in a pod."

No formal charges have been filed, and the investigation remains active. However, the security footage and access-card records on the ship have drawn serious attention from law enforcement. Anna's body, reportedly concealed under a bed, showed visible bruises on her neck — details that continue to haunt the family.

The Night Before the Tragedy

The night before Anna died, she had complained about her braces bothering her during dinner. "She just said, 'Meemaw, I think I'm gonna go back to my room for a little bit, I don't feel well.' And she must have felt better, because she got dressed up. And she came down, we were playing in the casino," Barbara recounted.

There, she played $20 and left with a cheerful "Meemaw, I love you guys, I'll see you later." Barbara then said Anna would pop in and out to check up on them. "We never saw her again after that," asserted Anna's grandmother.

Anna Kepner posing in a mirror selfie, posted on November 11, 2025. | Source: Facebook/TrueCrimeWithAD

'I Went Blank': The Horrific Morning Discovery

The next morning, a medical alert crackled through the ship's loudspeakers. Jeffrey recognized the stateroom number instantly. "I went blank," he said. "I was hoping that it was something minor." But nothing could have prepared him for what he walked into when the family discovered Anna.

Barbara also shared her son, Anna's father's reaction after he walked into the room. She recalled how she could tell by the look on his face after seeing Anna that he knew she was gone.

Barbara then remembered the moment her husband came to deliver the unthinkable news, "All he could say to me was, 'Anna.' The last I can remember for probably hours that morning is I just screamed. I couldn't stop screaming [sic]."

The trauma, she admitted, has barely allowed them space to grieve. Instead, they are left replaying memories, questioning what signs they might have missed. "With my grandchildren, I have one rule," Barbara disclosed. "You be truthful with me, I'll be truthful with you, and we'll figure this out."

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

Stepbrother Hospitalized After Incident

The stepbrother, according to Barbara, told her he "does not remember what happened." Though unclear, she added, "I believe, to him, that is his truth." Authorities questioned him along with other family members, and later, the stepbrother was hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation.

He has since been released and is now living with a relative and receiving counseling, per court disclosures tied to an unrelated custody hearing. "He was an emotional mess. He couldn't even speak. He couldn't believe what had happened," Barbara mentioned of Anna's stepbrother.

Anna Kepner's Cause of Death Confirmed by Authorities

Reflecting on the incomprehensible turn of events, Jeffrey admitted, "The biggest question that I want answered is the why. And that's the answer that I don't know if we'll ever get."

Barbara echoed the heartbreak, "No matter what we find out, no matter what they tell us, it's not going to bring either one of these children back." As the family continues to process their grief and unanswered questions, the grim reality of what happened to Anna was recently confirmed in a legal document.

A copy of her death certificate, issued Monday and shared with ABC News by the Kepner family, officially ruled her death a homicide.

According to the document, the 18-year-old died from "mechanical asphyxia," with the cause noted as being inflicted by "other person(s)." The date of the injury was listed as November 6, just one day before Anna was discovered lifeless aboard the ship. However, the precise time of the incident remains unknown.

The formal ruling has intensified the spotlight on Anna's stepbrother, who, according to a court filing in an unrelated family matter, may be facing potential charges.

Before Anna's grandparents stepped forward to share their heartbreak, it was her mother, Heather Wright, who first gave voice to the family's sorrow — offering a glimpse into who Anna Kepner was beyond the headlines, and the light she brought into the lives of many.

'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," Heather 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, these memories now stand as both a comfort and a piercing reminder of the loss she's still struggling to process. What makes Heather's grief all the more harrowing is the way she learned of her daughter's death — not through a phone call from authorities or a formal notification, but by piecing together fragmented online posts.

"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 has yet to hear from Anna's father or the FBI since 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. Her former boyfriend, Josh Tew, was among those hit hardest.

"She was the best that ever happened to me," he said. His uncle described the atmosphere as one filled with profound love and aching loss. Yet, even as loved ones gathered in remembrance, haunting questions continue to loom.

At this time, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to Heather, Anna's grandparents, and her entire family, loved ones, friends, school, teachers, fellow students, and community, as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Anna.