Anna Kepner was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, with big plans for the future. But that all came to a screeching halt on November 7, 2025, when Anna died during a family vacation aboard the Carnival Horizon. Sadly, Anna died a horrific death by asphyxiation. A housekeeper found her deceased in the stateroom she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother. The unidentified brother became a person of interest early on and now faces charges in connection with Anna’s death, but what kind of charges remains unclear.
Chris Kepner, Anna’s father and the 16-year-old’s stepfather, said the teenager appeared in court and was released to the custody of a guardian, ABC News reported. The documents remained sealed because of the teen’s juvenile status.
Chris Kepner and his wife, Shauntel Hudson, the suspect’s mother, released a lengthy statement obtained by ABC News.
The family thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice for their help with the investigation and for working toward justice for Anna.
“The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal. She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed,” the statement reads in part. “Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in every part of our lives. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our loss.”
The family expressed frustration that the suspect is free at this time and called for him to be held accountable.
“During this investigation, we were advised by the FBI to remain quiet. We respected that request out of trust in the process and in hopes that it would help the investigation,” the statement continues. “However, as grieving parents who continue to live with unanswered questions and ongoing pain, we can no longer remain silent. Our daughter’s life matters, and we will continue to speak out to honor her, to seek accountability, and to ensure that her case is not forgotten.”
We cannot imagine this family’s pain. If the 16-year-old did actually kill Anna and a court convicts him, this family will have lost two children. What a tragedy for everyone involved.
