Anna Kepner cruise ship death: Court docs suggest worst-case scenario with allegations involving family member

Legal documents filed in Florida suggest a significant development in the FBI’s probe into the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in November 2025.

According to ABC News, an emergency motion arising from a custody hearing involving the stepsiblings of the teen reads: “The Respondent has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action.”

It goes on to add, “Any testimony the Respondent may give, either written or oral, could be prejudicial to her or her adolescent child in this pending criminal investigation, therefore the Respondent cannot be compelled to testify.”

The documents in question were filed in a civil custody dispute involving Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, formerly Shauntel Hudson.

A suspect named?

Meanwhile, further court documents say a minor child is now a suspect in the case. According to those filings, viewed by Fox 35 Orlando, the 16-year-old step-sibling has been released from custody and placed with a relative, per an emergency motion by the child’s father, in part due to the serious nature of the allegations.

Because the tragedy occurred at sea, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has jurisdiction. Outlets report that while the agency is actively involved, it has declined to comment publicly on this case or the excerpt from the court filing.

Unverified social-media claim from Kepner’s “uncle”

This news comes just days after a social media post attributed to a man claiming to be Kepner’s uncle on X alleged that Kepner’s stepsibling was involved in her death, alleging Kepner’s father and stepmother knew all along and were involved in an apparent cover-up. While this post is circulating widely, it remains unverified. The Kepner family and official law enforcement have not commented on these specific claims.

While official police reports are sparse, the Daily Mail cites sources stating that Kepner’s body was concealed beneath a cabin bed, wrapped in bedding, and obscured by life jackets. Investigators and Carnival Cruise Line have not confirmed these details.

Kepner, a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, boarded the Carnival Horizon on November 2, 2025, for a six-day cruise with her father and blended family. Her body was discovered during the voyage; the ship returned to Port Miami on November 8. Authorities confirmed Kepner died on November 7.

Investigators reportedly are reviewing access-card logs and surveillance camera footage onboard to piece together who was in the cabin and at what times.

No formal suspect list has been released, no charges filed, and crucially, the medical examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of death. Reports say she told family members she felt unwell the night before she died.