Florida Cheerleader Found Dead on Family Cruise
A family holiday aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship ended in tragedy earlier this month when an 18-year-old woman was found dead in her cabin. Anna Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was discovered deceased on 8 November.
Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that Anna died from asphyxiation due to a bar hold, which involves an arm being pressed across the neck. Authorities reported finding two distinct bruises on the side of her neck. The final autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.
Stepbrother Identified as Suspect in Ongoing FBI Probe
In a shocking turn of events, Anna's 16-year-old stepbrother has been identified as a suspect in her death. The disclosure emerged during a family court hearing related to a separate custody dispute between the boy's parents, Shauntel and Thomas Hudson.
Both parents acknowledged in court filings that their son, identified only as 'TH', is under an active FBI investigation in connection with Anna's death. The teenager had been sharing a stateroom with Anna during the family trip, which also included her father, stepmother, and another step-sibling.
An attorney involved in the custody case revealed that the 16-year-old was allegedly permitted to consume alcohol while the ship was sailing in international waters. After the Carnival Horizon docked at PortMiami on 9 April 2021, the boy was taken to a hospital for assessment.
Family Grief and Memorial Service
The case has drawn further attention due to the circumstances surrounding the notification of Anna's biological mother, Heather Wright. Wright stated that she only learned of her daughter's death by conducting Google searches, after receiving minimal initial information.
Anna, who was expected to graduate from high school next year, was memorialised at a church in her hometown of Titusville. The service encouraged hundreds of mourners to wear bright colours in honour of what was described as Anna's bright and beautiful soul.
In the wake of the tragedy, the stepbrother's parents have agreed to have him live temporarily with a relative, and Shauntel Hudson has requested a postponement of a scheduled custody hearing.
Carnival Cruise Line has issued a statement confirming its cooperation with the FBI's Miami office, emphasising that their focus is on supporting the guest's family during this difficult time. Neither the FBI nor Carnival has publicly confirmed the exact cause of death or what specific evidence led agents to focus on the teenage suspect.
