Teen Suspect in Cruise Ship Death Appears in Federal Court

16-year-old under investigation for the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 16-year-old boy has been investigated for the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, on a Carnival Cruise ship. Kepner's death has been ruled a homicide, but details about the teen's court appearance and any potential charges have been obscured due to his juvenile status. The case has drawn international attention and sparked intense speculation on social media.

Why it matters

Juvenile cases in federal court are exceedingly rare, as the federal criminal justice system is not focused on rehabilitation like the juvenile justice system. The closed nature of this case has added to the grief and outrage of Kepner's family, who are seeking full accountability and justice for her death.

The details

Anna Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Florida, was traveling on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship with her father, stepmother, stepmother's two children, and grandparents when her body was found concealed under a bed in the room she was sharing with two other teens, including her 16-year-old stepbrother. The 16-year-old boy was seen at the federal courthouse in Miami, but details about any charges or the reasons for his appearance have been obscured due to his juvenile status.

  • In November, Kepner's body was found on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship before it was scheduled to return to Florida.
  • Last Friday, the 16-year-old boy was seen at the federal courthouse in Miami, wearing a ball cap and a camouflage hoodie.

The players

Anna Kepner

An 18-year-old high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, who was found dead on a Carnival Cruise ship.

16-year-old boy

The stepbrother of Anna Kepner, who is under investigation for her death.

Chris Kepner

Anna Kepner's father.

Shauntel Hudson

Anna Kepner's stepmother, who is the biological mother of the 16-year-old boy.

Heather Wright

Anna Kepner's biological mother.

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What they’re saying

“This reality adds to our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable. This only strengthens our resolve to continue seeking justice for our daughter.”

— Chris Kepner and Shauntel Hudson, Anna Kepner's father and stepmother (ABC News)

“Pray for justice for my daughter.”

— Heather Wright (Social media)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the 16-year-old boy out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities of juvenile cases in the federal court system, where the focus is on punishment rather than rehabilitation. The closed nature of the proceedings has added to the grief and outrage of Kepner's family, who are seeking full accountability and justice for her death.