The grieving biological mother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose death aboard a Carnival cruise ship has been ruled a homicide, says she’s leaning on country star Jelly Roll to help her cope, even as tensions surge within the fractured family and the investigation intensifies.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Heather Wright said the loss of her daughter has left her shattered. “I am not OK… is exactly how I feel,” Wright told the outlet, referring to the Jelly Roll song, explaining that she quietly attended Anna’s memorial service despite believing she might be arrested over unpaid child support. She said she attended in secret because, in her words, “they can’t stop me from going anyway.”
Stepson should “face consequences”
Meanwhile, Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, is speaking out more forcefully than ever about the 16-year-old stepson who, according to court filings in an unrelated custody case, may be the subject of an FBI investigation. In an interview with PEOPLE, Christopher said he will not protect the boy if investigators find wrongdoing. “I do not stand behind what my stepson has done,” he said. He added he wants the boy to face consequences. “I will be fighting to make sure that does happen,” Christopher said.
While the FBI has not publicly named a suspect, Christopher said investigators determined the boy was the only person in the cabin where Anna slept the night she died. “I cannot say that he is responsible, but I can’t decline,” Kepner’s dad told PEOPLE, adding that the final determination will rely on the evidence federal investigators release.
Kepner’s aunt: Anna “fought”
At the same time, Anna’s aunt, Krystal Wright, expressed frustration over the pace of the investigation in comments to Fox 35 Orlando, saying the family is struggling to understand why there have been no charges. “We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, why has he not been charged yet? What’s happening there?” she said. “I know Anna fought. I know she fought for her life, so it’s rough. It’s rough.”
Complicating matters further, the court has subpoenaed Christopher to testify in his wife, Shauntel Kepner’s, ongoing custody proceedings, the same case in which the stepbrother’s alleged status as a potential suspect first surfaced. Those filings revealed that Shauntel and her ex-husband each referenced the FBI investigation as part of their dispute.
What happened to Anna Kepner?
Searchers found Anna dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on November 7, 2025, during a family vacation that included her father, stepmother, grandparents, and siblings. A housekeeper discovered her body under a bed the morning after she had dinner with her family. Her death certificate lists the cause as “mechanical asphyxiation by other person(s)” — and the manner as homicide. Authorities have not announced any arrests, suspects, or persons of interest. The FBI is investigating and has declined to provide additional details.
Published: Nov 28, 2025 05:23 pm