The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been arrested and charged in connection with her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship last November, with the suspect making a federal court appearance in Miami this week. This development marks a significant step in the investigation into the homicide of the 18-year-old Florida teenager.
On February 6, 2026, the stepbrother appeared before a federal magistrate in a locked courtroom in Miami, accompanied by public defenders, prosecutors, and U.S. Marshals. The criminal docket for the case remains sealed, as the suspect is being charged as a juvenile, preventing the public release of specific charges. Following the hearing, he was processed for pretrial release at a probation office, indicating that he has been released to the custody of a guardian pending further proceedings.
Anna Kepner was found dead on November 7, 2025, aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship during a family vacation to the Caribbean. The ship returned to PortMiami as scheduled the next day, and her death was quickly ruled a homicide. According to her death certificate, the cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, and she was discovered under a bed in the cabin she shared with her stepbrother, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests.
The investigation has been led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice, with the family expressing gratitude for their thoroughness. In a statement released on Friday, Chris Kepner, Anna’s father and stepfather to the suspect, along with his wife Shauntel, the suspect’s biological mother, emphasized their belief in accountability and justice for their daughter. They described Anna as a happy, bubbly, straight-A student and cheerleader with a bright future ahead.
Prior to the arrest, the stepbrother had been named a suspect in court filings related to an unrelated custody case, and the FBI had been weighing state and federal charges. The family’s lawyers have declined to comment, and authorities have remained tight-lipped due to the juvenile nature of the case. This arrest comes after months of investigation and public interest in the tragic event.
The case has drawn attention to safety and legal procedures on cruise ships, which often operate in international waters, complicating jurisdiction. Federal involvement highlights the seriousness of the crime, and the sealed records underscore the sensitivity of juvenile proceedings. The community in Titusville, Florida, where Anna was from, has held memorials and continues to mourn her loss.
Looking ahead, the legal process will proceed with pretrial motions and potential hearings, though details may remain confidential. The family has vowed to continue seeking justice and honoring Anna’s memory, while the suspect’s fate will be determined in the federal court system. This case serves as a somber reminder of the complexities in investigating crimes that occur in transient environments like cruise ships.
