What we know about the cruise ship death of Anna Kepner

The death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on a Carnival cruise ship has been officially ruled a homicide, with the cause identified as mechanical asphyxia. Her body was found concealed under a bed in her stateroom, sparking an FBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death during a family vacation. Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Titusville, Florida, was discovered dead on November 7 aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship while traveling with her family. The discovery was made by a housekeeper who found her body under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, according to security sources briefed on the incident. A death certificate issued on November 24 and provided to ABC News by her family confirms that Kepner died from “mechanical asphyxia” and lists the date of injury as November 6. The document states she was “mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s),” though the exact time and manner remain under investigation by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s office. The FBI is leading the investigation and has not named any suspects publicly, but a court filing in an unrelated family matter indicated that Kepner’s stepbrother, a minor, could face charges. No arrests have been made, and authorities are treating the case as a homicide, with the cruise company, Carnival, fully cooperating. Kepner was a high school student set to graduate in May and had aspirations to join the U.S. Navy, her grandparents revealed in an interview. They described her as a happy, bubbly, straight-A student who was excited about the future, and the family was on a six-day Caribbean trip that included her father, stepmother, siblings, and stepsiblings. In emotional statements, her grandparents expressed shock and grief, noting that the last time they saw her alive, she had complained about braces but joined them in the casino, saying, “Meemaw, I love you guys, I’ll see you later.” They emphasized that the family dynamic was close-knit, with no distinction between biological and step-relatives. The incident has raised questions about safety on cruise ships, and the ongoing probe may reveal more details in the coming days. The family is seeking answers, with her grandmother stating that knowing how she died provides some closure but does not bring her back. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind Kepner’s death, with potential legal proceedings ahead depending on the findings. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the vulnerabilities even in seemingly secure environments like family vacations.