Relative of Florida Teen Who Died on Carnival Cruise May Face Charges, Court Filing Says

A chilling new twist has exploded into the already harrowing mystery surrounding a Florida teen's suspicious death aboard a luxury cruise ship, and it's tearing one family apart.

Eighteen-year-old Anna Kepner, a radiant high school cheerleader from Florida, was found dead under horrifying circumstances on November 7, 2025, aboard the Carnival Horizon as it sailed back toward Miami. And now, a shocking court filing has revealed a potential criminal investigation, one that may target someone inside her own family.

Details and Documents Revealed

While authorities have remained mostly tight-lipped, the Daily Mail learned on Monday, November 17, that a maid discovered Anna's lifeless body shoved under the bed in her cruise cabin, hidden beneath a pile of life jackets and a blanket.

But on November 18, the same outlet released details from a curious court motion, filed in Brevard County by Shauntel Hudson, the stepmother of the deceased teen.

The documents hint that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is contemplating criminal charges against one of her own minor children.

Shauntel's attorneys submitted the emergency motion in the context of her 2024 divorce proceedings, pleading for more time to respond due to the "extremely sensitive and severe circumstance" she and her children are currently facing.

Federal Agents Closing In

Shauntel, who had only recently married Anna's father, Chris Kepner, entered the marriage with three children of her own, including one 18-year-old and two minors.

The court document details the FBI's current interest in one of those underage kids. "Currently there is an investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.) arising out of the sudden death of eighteen-year-old Anna Kepner," it states.

The motion continues, "The deceased is the daughter of the respondent's paramour, and the respondent and the minor children of this instant action were all on the cruise ship together. 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."

But the reveal doesn't end there.

The gist is that Shauntel is asking the court to delay a scheduled custody hearing brought by her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, citing fears that anything she says in family court could jeopardize the unfolding criminal investigation against her own child.

Earlier reporting by the Daily Mail revealed that Anna had not been feeling well the night before her tragic demise. The teenager allegedly returned to her cabin early, but when she failed to appear at breakfast the next morning, concerned family members began searching for her.

Investigation Continues

Federal agents are combing through every second of CCTV footage from the Carnival Horizon, which docked in Miami on November 8. Authorities are also analyzing data from passengers' electronic key cards to determine who accessed Anna's room and when.

The teenager's cellphone has been seized for forensic analysis. Investigators are also interviewing family, fellow passengers, and crew members in their desperate search for the truth. Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed it is working closely and fully with the FBI.

Despite mounting speculation, the FBI, Shauntel, and Chris have refused to comment officially on the latest developments. But the heartbroken father did give an interview to the Daily Mail days earlier.

Waiting for Answers

As previously reported, Chris revealed the anguish his family has endured since the tragedy unfolded and the troubling silence that followed. "I have no idea what is going on right now," the devastated father admitted. "We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers."

Chris, a crane operator from Titusville, Florida, explained that he and his family — including Anna's stepmother, stepsiblings, and two younger children — were all vacationing together when disaster struck.

After Anna's death, the entire group was detained for questioning by authorities and offloaded from the ship along with other passengers.

The FBI Hasn't Shared Anything With the Family

With the Carnival Horizon traveling between Cozumel and Miami when the incident happened, the investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the FBI, not local law enforcement. Yet for Chris, the silence has been deafening.

"The FBI hasn't shared anything with me yet," he said. "I would imagine they're going to be in contact with me about it, but I know as little as everybody else."

According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner, Anna was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. on board, though the exact cause has not been publicly released.

A Bright Future Cut Short

In a separate statement to ABC News, Anna's family remembered her as a "happy, bubbly, straight-A student" whose potential was boundless. "When she walked into a room, she would light it up," they said. "If you were sad, she'd make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school."

They shared that Anna had recently taken steps toward a future in public service. "She had just finished taking the test to join the military," they added. "She was already talking to recruiters and had chosen her career path. She wanted to do something that would help her community."

Anna's Lasting Legacy

Beyond her academic achievements, Anna was known for her generosity and community spirit. She often volunteered with local programs and was a familiar face at businesses in Titusville, always eager to support her town.

Her relatives say that while her life was short, it was full. Anna lived with joy and energy, embracing every opportunity that came her way.

She began gymnastics at age two and later joined her high school's varsity cheerleading team. She loved the water — earning both her boater's license and scuba certification — and enjoyed shopping, makeup, and spending time with friends.

Lovingly known as "Anna Banana" to her family, she left behind not only memories of laughter and love but a legacy of kindness and ambition.

Family Retreats From Public Life as Rumors Swirl

As the investigation continues behind closed doors, speculation has exploded across social media — leaving the grieving family reeling from online rumors and baseless theories.

"I've had to shut the world out," Chris confessed. "I don't watch the TV anymore. We've literally had to stop doing anything to do with the internet."

What was meant to be a joyful escape has now become a private heartbreak played out in the public eye, with few answers — and countless questions — surrounding what really happened to Anna on that fateful voyage.