Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship earlier this month, discovered under a bed wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, reports Baltimore Chronicle. The teen, reported dead on November 8, has not had a cause or manner of death officially specified by the Miami-Dade medical examiner.
Investigators are examining multiple possibilities, including whether there may have been an altercation with her stepbrother prior to her death, according to a source cited by ABC News. Other avenues under review include a potential medical emergency or an overdose. Security records from the ship, such as camera footage and access-card swipes, are being analyzed to track the movements of passengers and crew around the time of Kepner’s death.
A court filing in an unrelated family matter noted that Kepner’s stepsibling could face legal charges. The filing further indicated that the FBI is investigating “arising out of the sudden death of 18 year old Anna Kepner.”
Kepner’s family described her as a happy, bubbly, straight-A student with a promising future. Shauntel Hudson, Kepner’s stepmother, who was also on the cruise with her children and Kepner’s father, requested a delay in a custody hearing due to the possibility that one of her minor children may face criminal charges. The filing stated that any testimony from the stepmother could be prejudicial in the ongoing investigation, preventing her from being compelled to testify.
The FBI declined to comment on the case. Carnival Cruise Line released a statement saying, “Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI.” Kepner’s family has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Earlier we wrote that Larry Summers Resigns from OpenAI Board Amid Epstein Email Revelations.
