Executive Summary
- Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother has been named a suspect in her homicide.
- The teenager was removed from his mother’s home to ensure the safety of other children.
- Kepner, 18, was found dead from mechanical asphyxia on a Carnival cruise ship on November 7.
- The FBI is leading the investigation, and charges against the minor may be pending.
The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been removed from his home and designated as a suspect in connection with the 18-year-old cheerleader’s death aboard a Carnival cruise ship last month. During a custody hearing in Florida on Friday, testimony revealed that the teenager was relocated to live with relatives as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continues its probe into the homicide.
According to reports from People, the disclosure was made by Shauntel Kepner, the mother of the 16-year-old and stepmother to the victim. Her legal counsel stated during the proceedings that she and her husband, Christopher Kepner, made the decision to send the teenager away with the specific intent of "removing any risk of any danger to any of the other children in the home."
During the hearing, the presiding judge noted that the teenager is officially considered a suspect in the murder case and indicated that charges may be forthcoming. The investigation stems from the November 7 discovery of Anna Kepner’s body concealed under a bed in a cabin she shared with family members during a cruise. At the time, she was traveling with her father, stepmother, three stepsiblings, and grandparents.
A copy of the death certificate obtained by ABC News confirmed the cause of death as "mechanical asphyxia," ruling the manner of death a homicide. The document specified that the victim "was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)." Stephen Nelson, a chief medical examiner in Central Florida not directly involved in the case, explained that mechanical asphyxia involves an object or physical force preventing an individual from breathing.
Investigative Outlook
The identification of a juvenile suspect in a homicide committed in international waters introduces complex jurisdictional challenges for federal prosecutors. As the FBI leads the inquiry, the focus will likely shift toward forensic evidence recovered from the confined crime scene of the cruise ship cabin to corroborate circumstantial details. Given the involvement of a minor, upcoming legal proceedings may face distinct procedural restrictions regarding public disclosure. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
