Stepbrother Released After Anna Kepner's Cruise Ship Death

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than three months after Anna Kepner was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, there are still many unanswered questions. Her biological mother, Heather Wright, had incorrectly claimed her daughter's stepbrother was charged with murder, but now admits she was "misinformed." The stepbrother, who is 16 years old, appeared in federal court on February 6th, but it is unclear if he has been formally accused of any wrongdoing. Wright says she has been struggling to get any information about the investigation into her daughter's death.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges families face in getting information and answers when a loved one dies under mysterious circumstances, especially when the death occurs on open water under federal jurisdiction. The lack of transparency and updates from authorities has left the victim's mother feeling in the dark about the status of the investigation and any potential charges.

The details

The stepbrother was escorted to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on February 6th, where he appeared with his public defender in a closed-door hearing. Court documents will not be released, and all hearings will remain behind closed doors if prosecutors decide to try the 16-year-old as a juvenile. The stepbrother's release from custody has deeply upset the victim's father and stepmother, who released a statement saying "it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely."

• Anna Kepner was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on November 7, 2025.
• The stepbrother appeared in federal court on February 6, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to try the 16-year-old stepbrother as a juvenile in the case.