Florida Teen Charged in Stepsister's Cruise Ship Death

16-year-old accused of murder and sexual abuse during family vacation

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:52am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handcuff or other small crime scene evidence, lit by a harsh, direct flash against a dark background, creating a stark, gritty aesthetic.A harsh flash illuminates a single piece of evidence, exposing the grim details of a tragic crime at sea.Today in Miami

A 16-year-old Florida boy has been charged with killing and sexually abusing his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, while the two were vacationing with family on a Carnival Horizon cruise ship last year. Kepner's body was discovered under a bed in the cabin they shared as the ship returned to Florida, and the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation. The teen, identified only as T.H., is being tried as an adult and faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, which carry a potential life sentence if convicted.

Why it matters

Crimes committed by minors on cruise ships in international waters are extremely rare, and this case has shocked the community where Kepner was a high school cheerleader. The charges against T.H. as an adult also highlight the gravity of the alleged offenses and the ongoing challenges cruise lines face in ensuring passenger safety.

The details

According to the Department of Justice, T.H. is accused of killing Kepner and leaving her body under the bed in their shared cabin on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. Kepner's body was discovered on November 7 as the ship was returning to Florida, and the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation.

  • The incident occurred in November 2025 during a family cruise on the Carnival Horizon.
  • Kepner's body was discovered on November 7, 2025 as the ship was returning to Florida.

The players

T.H.

A 16-year-old Florida boy who has been charged with the murder and sexual abuse of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, while on a family cruise.

Anna Kepner

An 18-year-old high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida who was killed aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship.

Carnival Horizon

The cruise ship on which the alleged murder and sexual abuse took place.

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What they’re saying

“'Our hearts go out to the victim's family during this unimaginable loss. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.'”

— Jason A. Reding Quiñones, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida

What’s next

T.H. was originally charged as a juvenile in February, but the case was later unsealed after a federal judge ordered him to be tried as an adult. He is now facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, which carry a potential life sentence if convicted.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the rare but serious risks that can occur on cruise ships, even involving minors, and the challenges cruise lines face in ensuring passenger safety, especially in international waters. It also raises questions about the prosecution of juvenile offenders in federal court for crimes committed aboard vessels.