Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school senior from Titusville, Florida, has died under deeply unsettling circumstances on a Carnival cruise ship—and newly filed court records suggest a federal probe may soon point fingers at her 16-year-old stepbrother.
According to recent court filings, Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, has asked for a delay in an ongoing custody or divorce hearing. Her reason? Investigators, including the FBI, have indicated that a criminal case “may be initiated” against one of her minor children. Family members publicly identify that child as Timothy “Tim” Hudson, Anna’s 16-year-old step-sibling.
The details, laid out in the court documents, are chilling. Anna’s uncle, Martin Donohue, told investigators that Anna may have been beaten, wrapped in a blanket or sheet, and hidden under a bed. According to him, the body was later partially covered with life jackets—and, perhaps most distressing, her alleged assailant slept in the bed just above where she was concealed.
The FBI has confirmed its involvement. Because the death occurred while the Carnival Horizon was in international waters, the bureau has jurisdiction, and federal agents reportedly boarded the ship when it returned to PortMiami on November 8. Carnival Cruise Line has said it is fully cooperating and is “supporting the family of our guest.”
Anna’s family has painted a portrait of a bright, bubbly teen brimming with promise. A straight-A student at Temple Christian School, she had recently taken her test to join the military and dreamed of becoming a K-9 officer. She was known for her warmth, generosity, and energy—“when she walked into a room, she would light it up,” her loved ones said.
The medical examiner in Miami-Dade County has officially recorded her time of death as 11:17 a.m. on November 7, but has not yet released a cause or manner of death. Investigators are tight-lipped, and the family says they’ve not been given many answers so far.
What makes this all the more gutting is Anna’s youth and potential. She volunteered in her grandparents’ retirement community, earned her boater’s license and scuba certification, and was deeply loved by friends and family. As the investigation continues, the request to delay divorce or custody court proceedings underscores just how serious the potential criminal implications are—and how deeply this loss has shaken everyone around her.
No charges have been filed publicly yet, and the FBI has declined to comment on specifics. For now, Anna’s family waits in heartbreaking limbo, hoping that the truth comes to light—and that justice, if needed, will follow.
