Imagine discovering your family vacation has turned into a chilling mystery. That’s the grim reality for the loved ones of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose sudden death aboard a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month has sparked a federal investigation. But here’s where it gets even more unsettling: sources reveal that her 16-year-old stepbrother, identified in court filings as ‘T.H.,’ is under scrutiny for possible involvement. According to documents obtained by CBS News, Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, filed a statement in a Florida court asserting that T.H. is a suspect in the FBI’s probe. This bombshell emerged amid a custody battle between Hudson and her ex-husband, who also claimed the stepbrother is under investigation.
While the FBI has not publicly named any suspects—stating they rarely provide updates on ongoing investigations—law enforcement sources hint at a potential altercation between the stepsiblings. Kepner was found dead in her stateroom on the Carnival Horizon as the ship returned to Miami on November 8. Her body was discovered by a housekeeper, hidden under the bed. The medical examiner’s report lists her time of death as 11:17 a.m. on November 7, aligning with the time her body was found.
Kepner had been sharing the cabin with her stepbrother and another stepsibling during the family’s Caribbean vacation. The night before her death, she reportedly told her family she wasn’t feeling well and retired to her room. When she failed to appear for breakfast the next morning, a frantic search ensued. And this is the part most people miss: court filings suggest charges may be imminent against one of her stepsiblings, though no formal accusations have been made.
Investigators are now combing through surveillance footage and electronic swipe card data to determine who accessed Kepner’s cabin. They’re also analyzing her cellphone records and conducting interviews with passengers, crew, and family members. Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed its cooperation with the FBI, which has jurisdiction due to Kepner’s U.S. citizenship and the death occurring in international waters. The cruise line assured there’s no ongoing safety threat aboard the ship.
This tragic case raises unsettling questions: What really happened in that cabin? Could a family member be responsible? Is this a case of sibling rivalry gone horribly wrong, or is there more to the story? The FBI’s silence only deepens the intrigue. As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: this vacation turned nightmare is far from over. What do you think? Could there be another explanation, or is the stepbrother the key to solving this mystery? Let us know in the comments.