FBI Investigates Step-Sibling in Cruise Ship Death of Anna Kepner

The FBI is investigating the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose body was discovered on November 7, 2025, aboard a Carnival cruise ship. This tragic incident has drawn significant attention, particularly due to the involvement of her 16-year-old step-sibling, who is currently under scrutiny in the investigation, as detailed in court filings reported by the Miami Herald. Anna Kepner was traveling with her father, stepmother, and two step-siblings on the Carnival Horizon as it returned to PortMiami from a Caribbean cruise. The ship docked on November 8, just hours after Anna's body was found by a housekeeping worker under the bed in her cabin.

According to legal documents, the FBI's interest in her step-sibling emerged in connection with an emergency motion related to a custody hearing in the stepmother's divorce proceedings. The motion states that law enforcement informed the stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, that a criminal case may have been initiated against one of the minor children on the cruise. A counter motion from the stepmother's ex-husband's attorney indicated that the 16-year-old is considered a suspect in Anna's death. The step-sibling is currently living with a third party after being released from custody.

The investigation's complexity is heightened by the fact that the FBI is handling the case due to it occurring in international waters. Carnival has stated that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement, but the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office has yet to release the cause of death. Legal experts, including Miami personal injury attorney Thomas Graham, have raised concerns about the potential mishandling of evidence, given that the closest law enforcement on the ship would have been security personnel, and 24 hours elapsed before authorities were notified upon arrival at port.

Anna Kepner was remembered in an obituary as a vibrant and joyful young woman, known affectionately as "Anna Banana." Her family described her as someone who brought laughter and love to those around her. With dreams of joining the Navy and becoming a K9 police officer, Anna had just begun her journey toward adulthood, having recently attended Temple Christian School and participated in various activities such as gymnastics and cheerleading. This incident has not only sparked discussions about safety on cruise ships but also the complexities that arise within family dynamics during such high-stakes situations, as highlighted by the focus on her step-sibling in the ongoing investigation.