Teenager Charged as Adult in Cruise Ship Murder of Stepsister

16-year-old suspect T.H. faces life in prison for first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse of Anna Kepner

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered cruise ship cabin window, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the violence and trauma of the alleged crime.The tragic death of a Florida teenager on a cruise ship has led to her stepbrother facing adult murder charges, exposing the dark underbelly of family violence.Today in Orlando

Just over five months after 18-year-old Anna Kepner was found dead in her cabin on a Carnival Cruise ship, her 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged as an adult with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated sexual abuse. The teenager, referred to as T.H. in court documents, allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Kepner while the cruise ship was in international waters en route to Miami.

Why it matters

This case has drawn national attention as a tragic example of family violence and the challenges of investigating crimes that occur on international waters. It also raises questions about the legal system's approach to charging minors as adults for serious offenses.

The details

According to prosecutors, T.H. was sharing a cabin with Kepner and another family member on the Carnival Cruise Horizon of the Seas ship when the incident occurred on November 6 or 7, 2025. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office later determined that Kepner's cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation. T.H. turned himself in on February 3, 2026 and pleaded not guilty, but was released to stay with an uncle until an upcoming juvenile detention hearing.

  • On November 6 or 7, 2025, Kepner was found dead in her cabin on the Carnival Cruise ship.
  • In February 2026, T.H. turned himself in and pleaded not guilty.
  • On April 13, 2026, prosecutors announced T.H. had been charged as an adult.

The players

Anna Kepner

An 18-year-old Florida resident who was found dead in her cabin on a Carnival Cruise ship.

T.H.

The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner who has been charged as an adult with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated sexual abuse in connection with Kepner's death.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida who is overseeing the prosecution of the case.

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What they’re saying

“Our hearts go out to the victim's family during this unimaginable loss.”

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

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to keep T.H. in juvenile detention or transfer him to adult jail as the legal proceedings continue.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the complex legal and emotional challenges when a minor is accused of murdering a family member, as well as the difficulties of investigating crimes that occur on international waters.